"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 2023
What We Talk About When We Talk About Character, Jesse Ellison
Where There's a Mill, is There a Way?, Kathryn Miles
Winter People, Adrienne Perron
Submissions from 2022
1972: The Year That Changed Maine, Down East staff writers
A Connecting Place, Adrienne Perron
A Few of Their Favorite Things, Adrienne Perron, Brian Kevin, and Arielle Greenberg
"A Larger Bridge", Michael Colbert
A Refuge Remembered, Bridget M. Burns
A Spin on the Chilly-Go-Round, Joel Crabtree
A Village for All Seasons?, Virginia M. Wright
Best of Maine 2022, Down East staff writers
Best Places to Live in Maine (2022), Will Grunewald, Adrienne Perron, and Brian Kevin
Catch & Release, Franklin Burroughs
Cheney, Matthiessen, and Me, Scott Bane
Ciao Chow, Will Grunewald
Corduroy Cameo, A. P.
Down East Americana, Benjamin Williamson [photos] and Brian Kevin [text]
Economy of Scales, Katy Kelleher
Eric Hopkins's 115th Dream, Brian Kevin
Face the Music, Will Grunewald, Brian Kevin, and Adrienne Perron
Flipping Good, W. G.
Food and Drink: A Very Buona Notte, Brian Kevin
Food and Drink: Back on Top, W. G.
Food and Drink: Barn Again, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food and Drink: Bringing the Table to the Farm, W. G.
Food and Drink: Claws and Effect, W. G.
Food and Drink: Clear Alternative, Brian Kevin
Food and Drink: Cooking: Square Meals, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Did Shrimp Lose the Squid Game?, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Eating Their Words, W. G.
Food and Drink: Fill 'Er Up, Jesse Ellison
Food and Drink: Fish/Tacos, W. G.
Food and Drink: Island Vibes, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Lighthouse Keepers, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Pure and Simple, Brian Kevin
Food and Drink: Red, White, and Brrrr, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food and Drink: Season's Eatings, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Shoot for the Stars, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food and Drink: Smooth Move, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Something Knish-y Going On, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Sour Patch Kids, Katy Kelleher
Food and Drink: the Maine Attraction, W. G.
Food & Drink: Gorham is Getting Crumby, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food & Drink: Not So Self-Evident, Jesse Ellison
Food & Drink: The Old College Try, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food & Drink: When Life Gives You Lemons... Make Sausages, Will Grunewald
Funny Business, Joel Crabtree
Ghost Stories, Down East staff writers
Good Things From Maine: Bowl-ing League, Monique Brouillette
Good Things from Maine: Burn, Baby, Burn, Sara Anne Donnelly