Exploring the post-apocalyptic Capital Wasteland in Fallout 3 reveals many relics of American history that have survived the Great War. Among these historical landmarks, the Lincoln Memorial stands out as a highly contested location tied to a memorable side quest called Head of State. Finding the specific historical artifacts scattered across the ruins is essential for players who wish to help the escaped slaves restore their symbol of freedom.
Finding the Lincoln Memorial Location
The Lincoln Memorial is situated on the western edge of the National Mall, easily recognizable by its grand marble architecture. Navigating this area requires caution due to the high concentration of dangerous mutants and hostile factions roaming the trenches. Players can approach the monument by traveling west from the Washington Monument or heading south from the nearby Museum of History.
Upon reaching the monument, you will discover that it is currently occupied by a group of slavers led by a man named Leroy Walker. The iconic statue inside has been heavily damaged, and Abraham Lincoln's marble head is entirely missing from the structure. Interacting with the inhabitants here will set the stage for how you choose to resolve the ongoing territorial dispute.
Acquiring the Picture of the Lincoln Memorial
To progress through the optional objectives of the Head of State quest, players need to locate the pristine Picture of the Lincoln Memorial. This valuable pre-war artifact is safely kept inside the Museum of History, which is located just east of the memorial grounds. You must enter the museum's lower offices and carefully navigate the dimly lit corridors to find the display area.
The historical poster hangs on a wall inside one of the ruined office rooms on the first floor. Snatching this artifact allows you to provide proof of what the monument looked like before the bombs fell. Securing this item, along with other relics like Lincoln's diary or voice recorder, increases your leverage when dealing with the quest factions.
Completing the Head of State Quest
The main conflict of the quest involves choosing a side between the escaped slaves residing at the Temple of the Union and the slavers occupying the monument. Speaking with Hannibal Hamlin at the temple initiates the path to help the abolitionists reclaim their sanctuary. Alternatively, players can choose a darker path by selling out the location of the escaped slaves to Leroy Walker for a quick bottlecap reward.
If you choose to aid the abolitionists, you must deliver the collected artifacts to Hannibal to inspire his followers. After turning over the items, you will need to clear out the slaver presence at the monument to ensure a safe transition. Once the area is completely secured, the escaped slaves will march to their new home and begin rebuilding their community.
Maximizing Your Quest Rewards
Completing this objective successfully rewards the Lone Wanderer with valuable experience points and unique weapons depending on the chosen resolution. Helping the slaves successfully reclaim the memorial grants positive Karma and unlocks the powerful Lincoln's Repeater rifle. This weapon remains one of the most accurate and durable firearms available in the entire game.
Choosing to side with the slavers yields a significant amount of caps but results in a substantial loss of Karma. You can check your pip-boy maps regularly to verify faction locations and track the movement of characters across the wasteland. Balancing these moral decisions allows players to shape the future of the Capital Wasteland according to their preferred playstyle.
