Symbol | Official Item

Vermont designated red clover (Trifolium pratense) as the state flower in 1894. All State Flowers

Arizona designated the Colt single-action Army revolver as the official state firearm in 2011. All State Firearms

First manufactured in 1873, the Colt single-action Army revolver has been called "The gun that won the West." This firearm is still made at Colt's Manufacturing Company in Connecticut.

Vermont designated the monarch (Danaus plexippus) as the official state butterfly in 1987 (Vermont also recognizes an official state insect). Monarch butterflies are recognized as an official symbol of seven states. All State Insects

Vermont designated the beluga whale skeleton at the Perkins Geology Museum (University of Vermont) as the official state fossil in 1993 (in 2014 the designation was amended to "State Marine Fossil" when the Mount Holly mammoth tooth and tusk were adopted as the official terrestrial fossil of Vermont). Vermont is the only state that designates a fossil symbol from a species that still exists today.

The unique ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) was designated the official state mammal of Arizona in 1986. All State Mammals

Also called ringtail cat, miner's cat, and cacomistle, ringtails are cat-sized carnivores that resemble a small fox with a long raccoon-like tail - in fact they are related to the raccoon and coatimundi. The tail is about the length of the head and body with 14-16 black and white bands and a black tip. The ringtail has five toes on each foot equipped with sharp, curved, non-retractile claws.

Maple was designated as the official state flavor of Vermont in 1993. The U.S. Mint's Vermont quarter also commemorates sap collecting for maple syrup. All State Foods

The sugar maple (Acer saccharum) was designated the state tree of Vermont in 1949. Sugar maple is also the state tree of New York, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. All State Trees

The hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus) was designated the official state bird of Vermont in 1941. The hermit thrush has a lovely, melancholy song. All State Birds

The beautiful Morgan horse (Equus cabullus morganensis) was adopted as the official state animal of Vermont in 1961. All State Horses

Morgans are descendants of "Figure," a sturdy little bay stallion owned by schoolteacher and singing master Justin Morgan of West Springfield, Massachusetts. Born in 1789, and later known by his master's name - Justin Morgan - this horse outran and outworked any horse that was brought against him. 

Virginia designated The Virginia War Museum in Newport News as the official state war memorial museum in 1997. All State Museums - All Firearms & Military Symbols

Formerly known as the War Memorial Museum of Virginia, the museum was established in 1923 (when WWI veterans were returning home) and has been administered by the City of Newport News since the 1950's.