Massachusetts designated "The Great State of Massachusetts" (words by George A. Wells, music by J. Earl Bley) as the official state glee club song in 1997. The Rutgers University Glee Club has been among the nation's premier collegiate choirs for over a hundred and twenty-five years. All State Songs
Massachusetts designated "The Blue Hills of Massachusetts" by Katherine E. Mullen as the official state poem in 1981. Massachusetts also recognized an official state ode in 2000 ("Ode to Massachusetts"). All State Poetry
Massachusetts designated the Paxton soil series as the official state soil in 1990. All State Soils
Many areas with Paxton soils are cleared and used for cultivated crops or pasture; some areas are used for community development, and some areas are wooded. Common trees found thriving on Paxton soils are red, white, and black oak; hickory; sugar maple; red maple; gray and black birch; eastern white pine; and eastern hemlock.
Massachusetts designated "The Road to Boston" (composer unknown) as the official ceremonial march of the Commonwealth in 1985. All State Songs
"All Hail to Massachusetts" by Arthur J. Marsh was designated the official state song of Massachusetts in 1981. All State Songs
"Massachusetts" by Arlo Guthrie was designated the official state folk song of Massachusetts in 1981. All State Songs
The endangered right whale was designated the official state marine mammal of Massachusetts in 1980. All State Mammals - Aquatic-Life Symbols
Massachusetts designated granite as the official state building and monument stone in 1983. Granite from Quincy, Massachusetts was used to build the Washington Monument. All State Rocks & Minerals
The square dance was designated the official state folk dance of Massachusetts in 1990 (the Bay State also recognizes an official state folk song and an official folk hero).
Massachusetts designated Dighton Rock as the official explorer rock in 1983. All State Rocks
Dighton Rock is an 11-foot-high "glacial erratic" boulder that once rested on the shore of the Taunton River. Dighton Rock is covered with mysterious petroglyphs (carved designs of ancient and uncertain origin). The rock is now installed in a small museum which is open by appointment (adjacent to Dighton Rock State Park).