"The goal of Down East has always been to hold a mirror up to Maine — its storied past and lively present — and to celebrate its flinty, independent character and unhurried way of life. As Maine has changed with the times, however, so has Down East. Today the state has come to embrace its future as well as its past. Accordingly, the magazine now focuses more on contemporary Maine life and what the future might bring and less on historical background and quaint rusticity. Booming circulation and advertising gains demonstrate the wisdom of this editorial shift."
Portland Public Library's collection of Down East is complete, and begins with the first issue, August 1954. The hard copies are available in the Portland Room.
Submissions from 2015
SoPo So Good, Edgar Allen Beem and Douglas Merriam, photographer
Special Section. 12 reasons to retire in Maine, Meadow Rue Merrill
Special Section. Retire in Maine : Finding your next trail to follow, Edgar Allen Beem and Cait Kimball, photographer
Stitch ‘n Bliss, Sandra L. Oliver and Erin Little, photographer
The Art of Giving 2015. Featured Artist: Deborah Randall, [Editorial staff writers]
The Art of Giving 2015. Featured artist: Marsha Donahue, [Editorial staff writers]
The Art of Giving 2015. Featured Artist: Susan Bartlett Rice, [Editorial staff writers]
The Art of Giving 2015. Featured Artist: Wendilee Heath O’Brien, [Editorial staff writers]
The Belfast operation, Brian Kevin
The Secret Lives of Houses, Virginia M. Wright and Brian Vanden Brink, photographer
The Throwbacks, Rob Sneddon and Séan Alonzo Harris, photographer
The Toymakers, Matthew Vincent Ambrosino
The Wild Women of Vinalhaven, Edgar Allen Beem and Erin Little, photographer
Uncle Henry’s takes over the world, Brian Kevin and David Yellen, photographer
Walking in Solitude, Virginia M. Wright and Michael Wilson, photographer
What’s in a picture : Migration illustration, Brian Kevin
Whose Town is it Anyway?, Rob Sneddon and Carla Slifka, photographer
Wild Wild East, Jesse Ellison and Richard Mia, photographer
Your 10 Favorite Maine State Parks, [Various authors]
Your Maine. Reflection on the Place We Love, [Editorial staff writers]
Your Maine. Reflections on the Place We Love
Your Maine. Reflections on the Place We Love, [Editorial staff writers]
Your Maine. Reflections on the Place We Love, [Editorial staff writers]
Your Maine. Reflections on the Place We Love, [Editorial staff writers]
Your Maine. Reflections on the Place We Love, [Editorial staff writers]
Your Maine. Reflections on the Place We Love, [Editorial staff writers]
Your Maine. Reflections on the Place We Love, [Editorial staff writers]
Your Maine. What’s Your Favorite Maine and Island and Why?, [Editorial staff writers]
Your Maine. What's Your Favorite Maine Thanksgiving Tradition?, [Editorial staff writers]
Your Maine. Where is your favorite place to ski in Maine?, [Editorial staff writers]
Submissions from 2014
0.02 Acres of Heaven, Rob Sneddon
25 Ways to Embrace Winter, Brian Kevin
Above the Mud, Will Bleakley
A Creative Nest, Edgar Allen Beem
A Crying Shame, Edgar Allen Beem
Advanced Style, Rebecca Martin Evarts
A Fiber Renaissance, Rebecca Martin Evarts
Ageless All Stars, Will Bleakley
All Tiled Up, Caroline Pradeiro
Alone Together, Virginia M. Wright
An Eye for Eagles, Deborah McDermott
A Popping Success, Meadow Rue Merrill
A Signature Summer, Candace Jaffe
At a Certain Age, Elizabeth Peavey
Band Together, Caroline Praderio
Bangor Rock City, Brian Kevin
Best of Maine 2014, Down East editors
Boxed Up, Caroline Praderio
Bridgton's Big Night, Rob Sneddon