From 1879 until 1917, Red Wing Seminary was the headquarters of the Hauge Synod, a group of Norwegian American Lutherans who followed the principles of Norwegian lay preacher Hans Nielsen Hauge (1771–1824). The back of the photograph reads, "Red Wing Seminary, Red Wing, Minnesota. Via LTS, Dr. Svendsbye's office, from Bethel Lutheran Church, Lead, S.D., Pastor Emil D. Greiner."