Maryland designated Patuxent river stone as the official state gem in 2004. All State Gems
Found only in Maryland, Patuxent river stones have extraordinary red and yellow hues that reflect Maryland's state flag. Actually agate (a form of quartz), Patuxent river stones have a glowing translucence that make them perfect for cutting, polishing, and setting into jewelry.
Maryland designated "Maryland, My Maryland" as the official state song in 1939. All State Songs
The nine-stanza poem was written by a native of Maryland; James Ryder Randall in 1861. Randall was teaching in Louisiana in the early days of the Civil War, and he was outraged at the news of Union troops being marched through Baltimore. The poem articulated Randall's Confederate sympathies. Set to the traditional tune of "O, Tannenbaum," the song achieved wide popularity in Maryland and throughout the South.
Maryland designated the Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae (Wilson) as the official state fossil shell in 1994 (Maryland also recognizes an official state dinosaur). All State Fossils
Maryland designated the diamondback terrapin turtle (Malaclemys terrapin) as the official state reptile in 1994. The diamondback terrapin turtle is also the official mascot of the University of Maryland College Park. In 2002 the University began to donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of "Fear the Turtle" merchandise to fund terrapin research and conservation efforts. All State Reptiles
Maryland designated the square dance as the official state folk dance in 1994. Twenty-two states have passed legislation declaring the square dance as a state symbol, and more than thirty bills have been introduced at the federal level proposing the square dance as the national (folk) dance of the United States. All State Dances
Maryland designated white oak (Quercus alba) as the official state tree in 1941. All State Trees
Maryland designated Olney Theatre in Montgomery county (just north of Washington, D.C) as the official state summer theater in 1978 (Center Stage in Baltimore is the state theater; adopted the same year). All State Theaters
Olney is an award-winning regional theater offering year-round productions that "enrich, nurture and challenge a broad range of artists, audiences and students."
Maryland designated the award-winning Center Stage in Baltimore's historic Mount Vernon cultural district as the official state theater in 1978 (Maryland also recognizes an official summer theater; Olney Theatre in Montgomery county).
Maryland designated rockfish (also called striped bass) as the official state fish in 1965 (also a state symbol of New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and South Carolina). All State Fish
Known for its size and fighting ability, the silver-flanked, iridescent striped rockfish (Morone saxatilis) has an olive-green back fading to light silver on its sides, with a white underside and dark stripes running from head to tail.
Maryland designated the thoroughbred as the official state horse in 2003 (Kentucky also recognizes the thoroughbred as a state symbol). All State Horses
The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) and the Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association are two organizations that promote the horse breeding industry in the state.