Down East magazine, has been publishing since August 1954, and continues as one of Maine's most prominent monthly magazines. Their web site's history page provides the following description:

"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.

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Submissions from 2022

Room With a View: Fanfare for the Common Bird, Philip Conkling

Room with a View: Just Say No?, Philip Conkling

Room with a View: Lessons on Community - And its Fragility, Philip Conkling

Room with a View: Summah People, Some Ahn't, Philip Conkling

Room with a View: Summer of the Striper, Philip Conkling and Peter Ralston, photographer

Room With a View: The Forest for the Trees, Philip Conkling

Room with a View: The Speed of Spring, Philip Conkling and Peter Ralston, photographer

Running Commentary, Brian Kevin, Adrienne Perron, Jaed Coffin, and Kathryn Miles

Running Commentary: Born to Run, Jaed Coffin

Running Commentary: River People, Kathryn Miles

Salt Cream Seafood Heat, Alexandra Hall

Stalk of the Town, Katy Kelleher

Sticking It Out, Arielle Greenberg

Sweeping on the Job, Adrienne Perron

Taking the Long View, Kate Cough [text] and Alex MacLean [photos]

Tales From the Borderlands, Down East staff writers

The Amazing Cider Man, W. G.

The Golden Age of Maine Pizza is Now!, Brian Kevin

The Golden Age of Maine Pizza is Now!: Standing Pat, Joe Ricchio

"The Kind of Meat My Camera Likes", Brian Kevin

The State of Maine v. Parole, Will Grunewald

The Ultimate Maine Summer Guide, Joyce Kryszak, Adrienne Perron, Bridget M. Burns, Mira Ptacin, Brian Kevin, and Will Grunewald

The Wolf of State Street?, Peter Andrey Smith

Timeline: Old Soles, Adrienne Perron

Uncertain Ground, Kate Olson

Wader Fabricator, Adrienne Perron

What a Maine Road Trip Taught Eleanor Roosevelt, Kate Ver Ploeg

Where Have All the Phalaropes Gone?, Willy Blackmore

Where Have All the Phalaropes Gone?, Willy Blackmore and Jada Fitch, illustrator

Where to Stay Now, Brian Kevin and Adrienne Perron

White Mountain Majesties, Down East staff writers

White Mountain Majesties: Notch Your Average Towns, Brian Kevin

White Mountain Majesties: Old Whites Guys, W. G.

White Mountain Majesties: Only Show in Town, Joel Crabtree

Submissions from 2021

6th Annual Down East Reader Photo Contest, Down East editorial staff

70 Over 70: A Bit out of the Oar-dinary, Monique Brouillette

70 Over 70: Art is Long, E. A. B.

70 Over 70: Breaking the Cycle, Jesse Ellison

70 Over 70: Dancing Queen, A. P.

70 Over 70: Dawnland Defender, A. P.

70 Over 70: Don't Call it a Granny Shot, Adrienne Perron

70 Over 70: Double Vision, J. K.

70 Over 70: Faith, Love, and Legacy, M. W.

70 Over 70: Fifty Years, Seven Acres, and the Sea, Joyce Kryszak

70 Over 70: Find Him at the Helm, Edgar Allen Beem

70 Over 70: Fit as a Fiddle, Busy as a Bee, W. G.

70 Over 70: Friendship That Floats, Peter Van Allen

70 Over 70: Giving Peace a Chance, W. G.

70 Over 70: Harboring Ambition, Genevieve Morgan

70 Over 70: Home is Where the Heart is, Caitlin Gilmet