Yi Hwang had retired to the location in 1549 and begun construction on the facility, a private Korean Confucian academy offering instruction in the classics and honouring the sages with regular memorial rites.

Like other Korean Confucian academies, Dosan Seowon serves two purposes: education and commemoration.

The site was well known in Korea as one of the leading academies and was home to the Toegye School of Thought for over 400 years.

Although the educational function of the facility has long since ceased, the commemorative ceremonies have been and are still held twice a year.

Dosan Seodang is composed of three parts; an exposed floor, a large room, and a kitchen.