Dallas Agency 900lbs Lights Up Washington Monument for America's 250th

Projection mapping event showcased key moments in U.S. history on the iconic 555-foot obelisk.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Dallas-based experience design agency 900lbs helped launch America's 250th birthday celebration with a spectacular six-night projection mapping display on the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. The immersive visual experience animated the iconic 555-foot marble obelisk, narrating key moments in the nation's history as part of the kickoff for the Semiquincentennial, America's year-long 250th anniversary celebration.

Why it matters

The Washington Monument projection mapping event was a high-profile technical and creative production that showcased the capabilities of 900lbs to bring large-scale storytelling to life using cutting-edge projection mapping technology. The event drew thousands of spectators over six nights and was viewed by countless more through streaming and media coverage, helping to launch the yearlong celebration of America's 250th birthday.

The details

900lbs was one of five creative and technical teams collaborating on the projection mapping event, which used large-scale animation across all four sides of the Washington Monument. The show narrated the nation's discovery, expansion, independence, and future vision. Onsite testing was critical to achieving the final visual quality, as the unique geometry and tapered aspect ratio of the 555-foot structure presented technical challenges throughout the planning, storyboarding, and creative direction process.

  • The projection mapping event began on New Year's Eve and concluded on Monday night with a final presentation and fireworks display.
  • The six-night event drew thousands of spectators in Washington, D.C.

The players

900lbs

A Dallas-based experience design agency specializing in immersive environments, large-scale projection mapping, animation, spatial storytelling, and interactive software development.

Steve Deitz

Founder and CEO of 900lbs.

Freedom 250

A national, non-partisan organization leading the commemoration of America's 250th anniversary celebration.

LMGSI, ESI, DCE, and Yellow Dog

Other creative and technical teams that collaborated with 900lbs on the projection mapping event.

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What they’re saying

“Our team collaborated to create large-scale visual content and animation telling special stories of our country's 250-year history on a scale of 555 feet tall. Projection mapping creates a shared experience at a scale few mediums can achieve. You're standing inside the story. That's especially powerful for a milestone like America's 250th year.”

— Steve Deitz, Founder and CEO, 900lbs

“At 555 feet tall, the unique geometry and tapered aspect ratio of the structure was a technical challenge throughout planning, storyboarding, and creative direction. We had to think through the best ways to crop, shift, and transition through the various scenes for both 2.5D and 3D animation production.”

— Steve Deitz, Founder and CEO, 900lbs

“Projection tests helped us understand how the structure would catch light, color and contrast. The amount of viewership that saw our visuals over the six nights gives me goosebumps. This has been magical and memorable.”

— Steve Deitz, Founder and CEO, 900lbs

What’s next

The Washington Monument projection mapping event was the kickoff for the yearlong Semiquincentennial celebration of America's 250th birthday. Additional events and activities are planned throughout 2026 to commemorate this historic milestone.

The takeaway

The Washington Monument projection mapping event showcased the technical and creative capabilities of Dallas-based agency 900lbs to bring large-scale, immersive storytelling to life using cutting-edge projection mapping technology. The event was a high-profile success that helped launch America's 250th birthday celebration on a grand scale.