Obong Seowon Confucian Academy

Obong Seowon was first established in 1561 (the 16th year of King Myeongjong's reign) when Ham Heon, the magistrate of Gangneung, brought back a portrait of Confucius painted by Odoja after traveling to China as an envoy in 1556 (the 11th year of King Myeongjong's reign). Later, in 1782 (the 6th year of King Jeongjo's reign), Zhu Xi was enshrined, and in 1806 (the 6th year of King Sunjo's reign), Song Siyeol was also enshrined, making it a place for ancestral rites and local education. Due to Heungseon Daewongun's decree to abolish seowon (Confucian academies), the academy was dismantled, and the portraits and spirit tablets were moved to Gangneung Hyanggyo.

The current academy was rebuilt in 1903, when local Confucian scholars built a shrine called Jipseongsa, and a separate shrine called Chilbongsa next to it. Remaining structures include Jipseongsa, Chilbongsa, the gate, Obonggangdang (lecture hall), and two memorial stele pavilions with their steles. Jipseongsa enshrines the spirit tablets of Confucius, Zhu Xi, and Song Siyeol, while Chilbongsa enshrines the tablet of Ham Heon. The lecture hall consists of a wooden-floored room and an ondol-heated room, and is used for various events as well as meetings and academic discussions among Confucian scholars. A memorial rite is held on the 2nd day of the 9th lunar month every year.