Lincoln and Spirutalism

[RJNorton]

Thank you for posting the link to Michelle Hamilton's thesis, Kees.

I started reading and have a question. As do many authors, she writes, "Addressing his wife, President Lincoln asked, “Mother, do you see that white building on the hill yonder?” “Try and control your grief, or it will drive you mad, and we will have to send you there.”

This was in reaction to Mary's overwhelming grief after Willie's death.

The question I have is whether or not this sighting of a white building (assuming an asylum) was possible. I vaguely recall a discussion about this long ago on the forum, and it was determined such a building could not be seen from the White House. Does anyone remember this discussion?