Tenino’s Keith Phillips was recently notified he will be the recipient of a 2026 State Historic Preservation Officer’s Career Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the craft of stone carving, preservation of historic architecture and dedication to continuing the tradition of craftsmanship.
He was nominated for the award by Thurston County Commissioner and former Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier.
“It gives me great satisfaction to honor your outstanding work and dedication to protect our state’s irreplaceable cultural resources,” Washington Historic Preservation Officer Dr. Allyson Brooks wrote in a letter to Phillips.
The Tenino Stone Carvers group was founded by Phillips, who has been carving stone out of a quarry in Tenino since the 80s.
Phillips has done stone restorations and artwork with stone all over the state of Washington. He has become known in the region for his work.
An official award ceremony will be held in conjunction with the annual PLACES Conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Old Liberty Theater, currently Liberty Bible Church, 507 N. Pine St., Ellensburg.
Each award recipient will be presented with a certificate signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson.
For more information or to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/49u7dyyy.
