"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 2009
"What's in a Picture?" piece on a photo of two teenagers transporting an orphane, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece on a trick photograph taken by Theresa Parker Babb, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece on a wheeled chair, invented by Oakland deputy sher, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece on Fanny C. Foster of Biddeford Pool, who around 19, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece on Senator Margaret Chase Smith shaking hands on a, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece on the Dorcas Fair fundraiser put on by the Dorcas, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece on the Eastern Steamship Company's 408-foot "Iroquo, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece on the inside of the Maine State Prison in Thomasto, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece on the ocean voyage of Ramanascho Hall from Kennebu, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece on the raising of the submarine USS Squalus from th, Joshua F. Moore
"What's in a Picture?" piece with some history of the Great Northern Paper Compa, Joshua F. Moore
Submissions from 2008
"25 Things every Mainer should know," from how to pronounce place names to the f, Colin Woodard
A Baxter State Park ranger recounts his experience as part of a support crew fig, Andrew Vietze
A brief article of Sanford-based Shain's of Maine, home of the Sea Dogs Biscuit, Meadow Rue Merrill
A brief overview of various syles of chimney placements in Maine homes, with tip, Richard Grant
A descriptive list of wineries, which are sprouting up all over the state.
A dozen tips for getting the most out of owning a summer cottage or camp, from h, Virginia Wright
A guide to Maine's waters, with a list of 30 ways to enjoy the water in Maine an, of Down East Editors
A how-to article describing seven skills essential to every Mainer, including: d, Andrew Vietze
A humorous essay on that most elusive of seasons--spring in Maine., Richard Grant
A list of summer camps in Maine.
A look at Christmas Prelude, a holiday-themed weekend that Kennebunkport started, Jeff Clark
An article called "Living Large in a Small City," on how to enjoy Portland on a, Michaela Cavallaro
An article on Maine humor and Maine humorists, including the late Marshall Dodge, Rob Sneddon and Edgar Allen Beem
An article on the Maine Fiddle Camp, which convenes in August at an Oddfellows c, Max Alexander
An exclusive essay by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo and an excerpt, Richard Russo
An illustrated description of Maine-themed postal stamps, which commemorate ship, Ken Textor
A photo-essay on the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge and its observatory, one of on, Jeff Clark
Architect Hans Strauch, principal of HDS Architecture in Watertown, Mass., desig, Kim Ridley
A retrospective look at Maine's 1998 Ice Storm, with photos.
A special "Best of Maine" section, covering the best seafood restaurant; saltwat, Rob Sneddon, Allister Timms, Michaela Cavallaro, Kristen Lindquist, Scott Sutherland, Cynthia Anderson, Virginia Wright, Edgar Allen Beem, and Elizabeth Hand
A special section, "Choosing Maine: A Guide to Relocating in the Pine Tree State, of Down Editors and East
A special section, "Maine for the Holidays," with information on 43 towns to exp, of Down East Editors
A special section on arts and crafts in Maine, with advice on turning a craft in, of Down East Editors
A special section on fishing in the historic Rangeley Lakes region, with article, Kristen Lindquist, Edgar Allen Beem, and Joshua Moore
A special section on Maine boating, including pieces on best windjammer watching, of Down East Editors
A special section on Maine education, including articles on secret sources of co, Jeff Clark
As principal timpanist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Vic Firth was unable, Andrew Vietze
A survey of nine of Maine's finest freshwater swimming spots, including Cold Str, Emily Glatz Fontaine
Author Monica Wood writes of her childhood in Mexico, Maine, and the day of her, Monica Wood
Bangor's downtown, once nearly empty, now has an occupancy rate of over 90 perce, Jeff Clark
Cherryfield, set in Washington County's blueberry barrens, has become mostly a b, Virginia Wright
Damariscove Island, perhaps the first permanent English outpost north of Jamesto, Colin Woodard
Descriptions of 12 lesser-known beaches in Maine, including Seapoint Beach in Ki, Andrew Vietze
Down East "How To" guide on procuring home grown vegetables during Maine's winte, Kim Ridley
"Down East How To" section, with an interview with rose-loving couple Glenn Jenk, Aurelia C. Scott
Down East readers voted to elect "Maine's Seven Wonders," coming up with a list, of Down East Editors
"Down East Traveler" piece on museums in Maine.
Each summer, many of the tourists visting Acadia National Park overlook the park, Jennifer Smith-Mayo
Elizabeth Gilbert, best-selling author of "Eat, Pray, Love," lived on Matinicus, Ari Meil