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On July the 4th in 1776, a group calling themselves the Second Judgmental Congress got together at Fort McHarry in Maryland. After a ceremony which ended with Paul Revere singing the famous battle hymn known as the National Anthem, the document was signed. From there, it was sent to England by plane presumably and presented to King George himself. Thus began the Evolutionary War.

Abraham Washington is the owner and curator of the Capitol Preservation Society in Rivet City in 2277.

Background[]

The 45 year old Abraham continues his parents' work at the Capitol Preservation Society, focusing on preserving the history of the United States, or at least an approximation thereof. Washington believes that his collection will eventually allow others to explore the American heritage, learn about the sacrifices made by those who came before,[1] and at minimum preserve centuries of history almost lost in the fires of the Great War. He considers every wastelander to still be the children of the country, and in order to respect it, everyone should learn its history.[2]

His greatest fear is that uneducated people and their casual disdain for history will cause America to fade from memory, and the once great nation will only be a blasted wasteland to future generations.[3] The fact that he is largely alone in his attempt to preserve history does him no favors,[4] as he tends to become overly enthusiastic whenever he meets someone who does not immediately dismiss him.[5] His limited social skills and obsession with the preservation of history drives people away, and as a result, he has a deeper connection to the artifacts in his museum than human beings.[Non-game 1]

However, despite his fervent dedication to history, it could be said that Washington is doing more harm to understanding the history of the United States than good. He has no formal education in history and lacks the essential knowledge to reconstruct the past. As such, he tends to fill in the blanks drawing on his imagination and wasteland knowledge, confusing events, people, places, and even technologies.[6][7] His collection, while vast and certainly priceless, is amassed without regard for any principles of the study of history and presented without any context necessary to understand the true meaning of the artifacts.[8] As such, visitors to the museum are presented with an inaccurate view of American history, further made inaccurate by Abraham's exceedingly high opinion of Abraham Lincoln.[9]

Abraham is more concerned with collecting all of the relics of the nation's past rather than accurately reconstructing history as it happened.[10][11][12] However, while Abraham is more of a collector of historical relics rather than a proper historian,[13] he has a large amount of caps and access to some unique items to reward contractors with.[14][15] Or rather, anyone who tries to retrieve items for him: Abraham hires anyone he can find. Talented scavengers like Sydney are able to make a living simply by bringing him any significant relics they can find in the city's derelict museums and ruins.[16] While Washington praises each as a "true American hero" and promises to memorialize them in case of their passing,[17][18] he shows little concern for their actual well-being. Should anyone die pursuing a lead for him, he views it as an acceptable loss in name of a greater cause.[19] In fact, sometimes, he does not even expect the contractor to return alive, but sends them out regardless,[20] with little warning.[21]

He primarily cares about increasing the size of his collection and the number of visitors to his museum.[22] He prizes documents the most, out of a sense of patriotism towards the former United States,[23][24][25][26] but he is also interested in anything else that might expand his trove, including any item of historical significance,[27] including old pennies, toys, weapons, and even Italian violins.[28] That said, he can part with pieces of his collection, if the price is right and there is a justifiable reason to do so.[29]

Personality[]

Abraham sees himself as a humble patriot, devoted to the memory of the former United States and the preservation of its history.[30] He mixes his conviction with a lack of historical understanding and devotion to Abraham Lincoln, often misrepresenting history in the process.[9] While he is polite enough, he has a dismissive attitude towards women, believing they are incapable of doing a man's job (such as recovering the Declaration of Independence).[31] He is also aware that he is reliant on others braver than him to do the dangerous work of recovering artifacts.[32]

His devotion to Lincoln has resulted in him treating other presidents unfairly when it comes to considering their accomplishments. He has resolved to treat Abraham Lincoln as the ultimate president with no equal, to the point that he downplays the achievements of other presidents, including James Monroe, whose Monroe Doctrine played a significant role in American foreign policy.[9]

Daily schedule[]

Abraham will wake up in his room at 10 a.m., stay there for an hour, then head to the Capitol Preservation Society, where he will stay for the next 14 hours. At 12 a.m., he will return to his room, and at 2 a.m., he will retire to his bed.

Fallout 76 unused content Abraham has two unused AI packages, AbrahamWashingtonEat14x2 and AbrahamWashingtonEat22x2, which indicate that he would also be intended to have lunch and dinner at the Weatherly Hotel from 2 to 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. There is fully implemented dialogue that is unable to play because Abraham does not use these packages.

Interactions with the player character[]

Interactions overview[]

Interactions
Perk nociception regulator color
This character is essential. Essential characters cannot be killed.
Icon quest starter
This character starts quests.
FO76 ui icon quest
This character is involved in quests.
Icon severed ear color
This character drops an ear upon death (Contract Killer).

Quests[]

Other interactions[]

When asked about the history of the Declaration of Independence, Washington will state the following:

On July the 4th in 1776, a group calling themselves the Second Judgmental Congress got together at Fort McHarry in Maryland. After a ceremony which ended with Paul Revere singing the famous battle hymn known as the National Anthem, the document was signed. From there, it was sent to England by plane presumably and presented to King George himself. Thus began the Evolutionary War.

It is a prime example of Abraham's casual approach to historical knowledge. The main errors are:

  1. The date: the Declaration was adopted on July 4th, but delegates began signing it on August 2nd,
  2. The location: the Declaration was signed in Philadelphia, not Maryland; "Fort McHarry," a maiming of Fort McHenry, did not even start construction until 1798,
  3. The authors: the "Second Judgemental Congress," instead of the Second Continental Congress,
  4. The delivery: the Declaration was not taken to Britain by plane, or even delivered to King George specifically; rather, it was published across the colonies and eventually reprinted in British newspapers,
  5. The Revolutionary War: called the "Evolutionary War," it did not begin with the Declaration of Independence, but is commonly considered by historians to have started in 1775 with the battles of Lexington and Concord.

In spite of Washington's common misunderstandings towards history, others in the Capital Wasteland appear to have a more accurate picture of certain events, such as Three Dog.

Inventory[]

Fallout 3
Apparel Weapon Other items
Dirty pre-War relaxedwear
Reading glasses
Lincoln's repeater* Abraham Washington's key (also a small chance of a random food item)

* Only after selling him Lincoln's repeater.

Fallout Shelter

Notable quotes[]

Appearances[]

Abraham Washington appears in Fallout 3 and Fallout Shelter.

Behind the scenes[]

His name is a portmanteau of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, two of the United States' most influential presidents.

Gallery[]

References

  1. The Lone Wanderer: "So, you really care about these relics?"
    Abraham Washington: "If these items were lost to time, how would we ever be able to explore our heritage or appreciate the sacrifices our founding fathers made?"
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  2. The Lone Wanderer: "I suppose I see your point."
    Abraham Washington: "Then we understand each other. Hundreds of years ago, people studied history as a career. Then, when the bombs fell, it was almost lost. Can you imagine a country like the U.S.A. without it? It would be the same empty feeling as not knowing your birth mother. We are children of this country and to respect it is to know about it."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  3. The Lone Wanderer: "Looks like a bunch of junk to me."
    Abraham Washington: "That's just the attitude I have come to expect from uneducated individuals. I mustn't let that happen! That's why this place exists. It's people like you who will cause the name America to fade from memory. Children will think of the U.S.A. as just the Wasteland. I mustn't let that happen! That's why this place exists."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  4. The Lone Wanderer: "I wish I knew more about America."
    Abraham Washington: "Oh, it's so good to finally meet... I mean, to yet again meet someone who actually cares about history!"
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  5. The Lone Wanderer: "I found it quite entertaining."
    Abraham Washington: "It makes me so happy to hear that! Feel free to look around all you like."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  6. The Lone Wanderer: "All right, I'll bite. Which document is missing?"
    Abraham Washington: "In 1776, the Second Judgmental Congress got together and adopted a document drafted by none other than Thomas Jefferson himself. It was the day the United States of America earned its name and secured its place in history. This magnificent achievement took form in the Declaration of Independence."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  7. The Lone Wanderer: "What's the history behind the document?"
    Abraham Washington: "On July the 4th in 1776, a group calling themselves the Second Judgmental Congress got together at Fort McHarry in Maryland. After a ceremony which ended with Paul Revere singing the famous battle hymn known as the National Anthem, the document was signed. From there, it was sent to England by plane presumably and presented to King George himself. Thus began the Evolutionary War."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  8. The Lone Wanderer: "Yes, it's an interesting collection indeed."
    Abraham Washington: "Ah, a fellow scholar I see! Each of the documents in this room tells a small but important story about the history of the United States of America. Unfortunately, the greatest prize of all is missing from the collection."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Rivet City terminal entries; Welcome to the Capital Preservation Society
  10. The Lone Wanderer: "It's an interesting collection of garbage."
    Abraham Washington: "One man's garbage is another's treasure trove. Don't underestimate these documents. They may not look like much, but their value is immeasurable. Or would be anyway, if only I possessed one more item."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  11. The Lone Wanderer: "Let me take a leap of faith here... you want me to find it for you."
    Abraham Washington: "Indeed I do. Without the Declaration, the rest of these relics are almost meaningless. I must have it! Acquire the document for me, and you'll be awarded most handsomely. What do you think?"
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  12. The Lone Wanderer: "Um... no. I've still got more important things to do."
    Abraham Washington: "What could be more important than completing my collection? Without that document, what is the U.S.A. now? Nothing! Oh well. Please come back when you change your mind. I know you will."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  13. The Lone Wanderer: "What is the Capital Preservation Society?"
    Abraham Washington: "I'm collecting artifacts. Historical artifacts. Um...all sorts of things from old DC. It's important work. Because...well, it just is."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  14. The Lone Wanderer: "Can the speech, Abe. I need to get paid."
    Abraham Washington: "Heroes of the United States will receive rewards befitting their rank, I can assure you. Your prize will be no different. 'I have in my possession the only known schematic for the creation of something called the Railway Rifle. Bring me the Declaration, and it's yours."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  15. The Lone Wanderer: "Can we stop beating around the bush, please? What's the reward?"
    Abraham Washington: "Sorry, my mind tends to wander. I would see to it you receive a worthwhile trade. I have in my possession the only known schematic for the creation of something called the Railway Rifle. Bring me the Declaration, and it's yours."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  16. The Lone Wanderer: "You recovered all of that stuff in the Preservation Society's museum?"
    Sydney: "Oh no. There is more than a lifetime's supply of grade A crap in that place. Couldn't possibly do it alone. Like you, he hires anyone off the street. Honestly, I don't care what he does with that stuff. As long as the caps keep flowing, I'll be there to collect."
    (Sydney's dialogue)
  17. The Lone Wanderer: "Yes... but I had a little help from Sydney."
    Abraham Washington: "By bringing this to me, do you realize you've both just written yourselves into the history books? You're both true American heroes and will be remembered for this glorious day! But enough of that. Allow me to present you with some sort of compensation for your deed. I will award Sydney's promised bounty to her personally. No need to worry yourself about that."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  18. The Lone Wanderer: "Yes... but I had a little help from Sydney. She didn't make it, though."
    Abraham Washington: "By bringing this to me, do you realize you've both just written yourselves into the history books? You're both true American heroes and will be remembered for this glorious day! Sydney's name will forever be memorialized for her great sacrifice. She was a patriot and will be missed. But enough of that. Allow me to present you with some sort of compensation for your deed."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  19. The Lone Wanderer: "All this info on the Declaration... Where'd you get it? I don't like secrets."
    Abraham Washington: "Well, ummm. This is quite embarrassing actually. I sent someone like yourself after the Declaration. She did some of the research for me, but now I haven't seen her in a few months. I wouldn't worry about it. Many have died for causes far less grand than what you're about to undertake."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  20. The Lone Wanderer: "Sydney and I have the Declaration of Independence."
    Abraham Washington: "Oh my lord, I never expect... I mean, I am utterly shocked! You two have earned your places in the annals of American History, yes indeed. You will be remembered for this great day! I will award Sydney's promised bounty to her personally. No need to worry yourself about that. Enjoy your reward, my friend. You've earned it."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  21. The Lone Wanderer: "Can you show me how to get to the National Archives on my map?"
    Abraham Washington: "In the D.C. Ruins you'll find the National Archives. Or what's left of it anyway. The building should contain the document in a protective glass case. Be careful, the place is swarming with Super Mutants. Here, let me pinpoint its location for you."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  22. The Lone Wanderer: "How's the museum business?"
    Abraham Washington: "Oh, it treats me well. I'm sure it will be even better now that we have the Declaration of Independence. Hopefully, we can add more to the collection and increase our foot traffic!"
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  23. The Lone Wanderer: "What's your point?"
    Abraham Washington: "Well, I was hoping you'd realize what I want. I want you to get the Declaration for me. The Declaration would tie this collection of documents together so well and give it the patriotic meaning it deserves. If you can find it for me, I'd be sure to make it worth your while."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  24. The Lone Wanderer: "Let me think about this for a bit, and I'll get back to you."
    Abraham Washington: "Oh dear. Well, I can't make you go. Only to appeal to your sense of patriotism and to do it for your country."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  25. The Lone Wanderer: "I have a document you may want. The Bill of Rights..."
    Abraham Washington: "Oh my! I never expected anyone to find this! I didn't even know it was still intact! Well, certainly a reward is in order for your efforts. How about 100 caps?"
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  26. The Lone Wanderer: "I've recovered a copy of the Magna Carta. Interested?"
    Abraham Washington: "Indeed I am. Although there were several copies made of the document, I certainly never expected to come across one intact. What do you say to 75 caps for it?"
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  27. The Lone Wanderer: "Is the museum looking to acquire anything else?"
    Abraham Washington: "Well, yes. Any document of historical significance would be of benefit to the Society. However, I am also interested in branching out. Perhaps some interesting artifacts related to our great country's history. Be sure and bring me anything you find along those lines. I'd be happy to compensate you once again."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  28. The Lone Wanderer: "I have a very unique item for sale, a genuine Stradivarius violin."
    Abraham Washington: "Incredible! I've heard of those items. They were used to make music many many years ago I believe. Well, although it has no American historical significance, I can take it off your hands for 200 caps. How does that sound?"
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  29. The Lone Wanderer: "I broke a promise to someone and I'd like to buy back the violin for 300 caps."
    Abraham Washington: "It takes moxie to admit you've done something wrong. I admire that. I'd be glad to sell it back to you. Here you go."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  30. The Lone Wanderer: "Nah, I was just kidding."
    Abraham Washington: "Well that's just plain rude. I would hope you'd be kinder to an old man just trying to serve his nation! But, since you brought it up..."
    (Abraham Washington's dialogue)
  31. Rivet City terminal entries; Abraham Washington's terminal, Declaration Expedition
  32. Rivet City terminal entries; Abraham Washington's terminal, Lincoln Artifacts Expedition

Non-game

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.59: "Abraham Washington
    Washington, 45, continues the work started by his parents, who were just as passionate about preserving their heritage as residents of the nation's capital. He's a virtual shut-in at his Capitol Preservation Society. Abraham is one of those classic social outcasts who talks to himself all the time. He has almost no social skills and has a deeper emotional connection to his historical objects than he does to any human being. He requests that you help him locate some documents in Miscellaneous Quest: Stealing Independence."
    (Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition Wasteland Census)
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