Pennsylvania means "Penn's woods" or "Penn's land." Quaker William Penn was granted the tract of land by King Charles II of England in 1681 as repayment of debt owed to Penn's father (Admiral William Penn). Originally, Penn suggested "Sylvania" (woodland) for his land. All State Name Origins
The Walnut Street Theatre was designated the official state theater of Pennsylvania in 1999. All State Theaters - Arts & Dramas
Built nearly 200 years ago in 1809, the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia is the oldest theater in the United States and has reflected the development of American theater during its long history.
Pennsylvania designated the white-tailed deer as the official state animal in 1959. All State Mammals
Pennsylvania is the only state that has designated a "beautification and conservation plant" as a state symbol (made official in 1982). All State Plants - All State Flowers
The restored United States Brig Niagara is the official Flagship of Pennsylvania, adopted in 1988. Niagara was Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's two-masted flagship, pivotal in the naval battle of Lake Erie to regain control of the upper Great Lakes from the British during The War of 1812. All State Ships
Mountain laurel was designated as Pennsylvania's official state flower in 1933 (mountain laurel is also a symbol of Connecticut). All State Flowers
Mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub native to the eastern United States (from southern Maine to northern Florida and west to Indiana and Louisiana).
"Pennsylvania," by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner was designated the official state song of Pennsylvania in 1990. All State Songs
The state seal of Pennsylvania has two faces: the obverse is most often referred to as the "state seal;" the reverse, or counter-seal, is used less frequently to authenticate documents. All State Seals
The first state flag of Pennsylvania was authorized by the General Assembly in 1799. A law was passed in 1907 standardizing the flag and requiring that the blue field match the blue of "Old Glory" (the national flag). All State Flags
Pennsylvania's coat of arms is not used in the official capacity of the state seal, but it's a familiar symbol of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and appears on countless documents and publications. The coat of arms is also displayed on Pennsylvania's state flag.