Tanum is located in Bærum, which then was a part of Asker parish.

The seminary was established in 1834 to educate teachers that conformed with the School Act of 1827.

The first manager of the seminary was Knud Gislesen from 1834 to 1855, later a bishop.

Several of the seminary's alumni became clergymen, politicians, academics or artists.

[1][3] The building was occupied by a girls' school afterward, and is now home to a child and adolescent psychiatric facility, referred to as Bjerketun.