Symbol | Official Item

Tennessee designated milk as the official state beverage in 2009 in recognition of its health benefits. All State Foods & Beverages

The tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) was designated the official state fruit of Tennessee in 2003. All State Foods

Tennessee designated Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica as the official state fossil in 1998. "Ptero" (thankfully it has a nickname) was a bivalve of the Cretaceous Age (a modern-day bivalve creates the state gem - Tennessee  river pearl). All State Fossils

The Tennessee purple coneflower (Echinacea tennesseensis) was designated one of Tennessee's official state wildflowers in 2012 (passion flower was adopted as the original state wildflower in 1919).

The Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) was designated the official state reptile of Tennessee in 1995 (also the reptile symbol of North Carolina). All State Reptiles

The name "Tennessee" evolved from Creek and Cherokee words (many state names originate from Native American languages). All State Name Origins

Exact details for the origin of "Tennessee" have been lost over time, but Spanish explorer Captain Juan Pardo was the first to record the name in 1567; at some point he and his soldiers encountered a Native American village called "Tanasqui" in Cherokee country. 

"Tennessee Treasures" and "Tennessee Treasures Too" by Tennessee artist Michael Sloan were designated the official state paintings in 1997 and 2007, respectively.

Tennessee Treasures

"Tennessee Treasures" features the ten most recognized symbols of Tennessee:

Agate was designated the official state stone of Tennessee in 1969, then re-named the state mineral in 2009. Tennessee also recognizes a state rock (limestone). All State Minerals & Rocks

Limestone, found throughout Tennessee, was designated the official state rock in 1979. Tennessee also recognized an official state stone; agate (later renamed the "state mineral"). All State Rocks & Minerals

Porcelain painting  (china painting) was recognized as an official fine art of Tennessee in 1981. Tennessee Arts & Artists - All State Arts & Drama

At one time, Blue Ridge china was the best-selling dinnerware in the United States. There was a series of artist-signed plates that are very rare and valuable today.