Pennsylvania’s Symbols

Pennsylvanians chose symbols to represent our state’s land, history, and

its people.

William Penn• He was the owner and

the first governor of our commonwealth.

• He made the basic laws that gave us the freedoms of speech and of religion.

“The Keystone State”• A keystone is the center

stone of an arch.• It holds an arch

together and keeps it from falling.

• There are many stories about why we are called the “Keystone State.”

Eastern Hemlock

• This is our state tree.

The leaves -

The cones -

The Firefly, or “Lightning Bug”

• The firefly was suggested by school children on April 10, 1974.

The

larvae

The Great Dane

• The Great Dane has been a symbol of Pennsylvania since 1965.

• It comes from Germany and they call it “Deutsche Dogge”, but we English speakers ignore that.

The Brook Trout

• This trout is found in many streams in our commonwealth.

• It is very tasty and provides fishermen with a great deal of fun catching them.

• It can grow to about 12 in. and 14 pounds.

The Ruffed Grouse

• It is known as the “King of the Game Birds.”

• It is hard to see in the fall because it has the same colors as the falling leaves.

• It makes a drumming sound with its wings.

The Phacops Rana

• It had large eyes.• They lived 365 to 425

million years ago.• They are arthropods,

related to insects and crustaceans.

• They had to molt their skin like crabs and spiders.

White Tail Deer

• A large deer may stand up to 3 feet tall.

• It can be 280 pounds.• Its rack will grow two

and a half feet high.• The antlers are

different than most deer, they point forward.

White Tail Deer

• A male deer is called a “buck”.

• On the left is a female deer which is called a “doe.”

• It doesn’t have antlers.

White-tail Deer

• We’re getting a little too close.

White-tail Deer

• This is a picture of the baby, or fawn.

• It is well camouflaged to protect it when it is a newborn.

Mountain Laurel

• The mountain laurel grows on Pennsylvania’s hills and mountains.

• It blooms in May and June.

• Its leaves are poisonous so we are careful with animals.

Mountain Laurel

• Here is a close up of a cluster of flowers.

• There can be several clusters on a branch.

Mountain Laurel

• Let’s get real close to the flower to see its beauty.

• Lovely, isn’t it?• Well I certainty think

it is.

Mountain Laurel

• This is what its blooms look like.

Milk

• Cow’s milk is a very important business in Pennsylvania.

• People in the Delaware Valley eat more ice cream than anywhere in the United States.

Milk

• Milk is sometimes an ingredient in paint.

• Not everyone could get the oil used in paint.

• People would use extra milk, mix in some pigment, and go to work!

And now for some of the symbols you

probably never heard of!

Penngift Crown vetch

• This beautiful plant is used as the “state beautification plant.”

• It was discovered in a field near Reading, PA.

• You’ll see its purple flowers on the highways.

The GCI 4859 Electric Locomotive

• We have a long history with railroads.

• This engine could go 100 mph when it was built in 1937.

• The last one was retired in 1979!

The K4s Steam Locomotive

• We also have a State Steam Engine!

•An old picture.

•A recent photo.

A train changes over time…

• In 1937 the train was changed to look “streamlined.”

• It didn’t do much for the power of the train, but the people loved the new look.

Every one was built in PA!

• They were the favorite train of all Americans.

• The one on the right is being “restored.”

• It wasn’t working, but engineers are trying to make it like it was back in 1914!

The Niagara• United States Brig

Niagara is our state ship.

• You may visit it when you visit Erie, Pa.

• It is a “reconstruction” of the original ship.

Virtue, Liberty and Independence

• This is our state motto.• Virtue - • Liberty - • Independence -