"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
"The Talk of Maine" piece on GoMOOS, the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System th, Colin Woodard
"The Talk of Maine" piece on how native fish populations are being depleted in M, Ted Williams
"The Talk of Maine" piece on Maine's first community wind-power project--newly o, Thomas Urquhart
"The Talk of Maine" piece on Maine's Green Party, founded 25 years ago as the fi, Jeff Clark
"The Talk of Maine" piece on the evolution and activities of North Maine Woods I, Edgar Allen Beem
"The Talk of Maine" piece on the "FairPoint fiasco," the problem-plagued transit, Joshua F. Moore
"The Talk of Maine" piece on the inconsistencies and possible inefficacy of Main, Peter Zinn
"The Talk of Maine" piece on the Marine Patrol, which tries to work with fishing, Ken Textor
The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta was conceived as the Togus Spring, Richard Grant
"What's in a Picture?" piece on a photo by Fred Philpot of a draft team rolling, Joshua F. Moore
"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