書院是古代育才的重要教育機構，臺灣傳統書院肇始於清康熙22 年臺灣府治的西定坊書院。觀察數百年來臺灣書院發展史，可區別為四段興衰歷程：一、初建期—約清康熙22~43 年（1683~1704），為期約22 年。基本上屬於僅具書院之名的義學性質。二、蓬勃期—約清代康熙43 年~光緒20 年（1704~1894），為期約191 年。實際作為科舉士子的養成機構，角色十分重要。三、衰弱期—約日治明治28 年~民國70 年（1894~1981），為期約88 年。日治以來廢除科舉制度，書院制度瓦解，僅餘文昌信仰功能。四、振興期— 約民國71 年~ 迄今（1982~2018~），達37 年以上。書院祠廟恢復祭典，推進文教，也成勝景。在歷史世變中，草屯登瀛書院是延續至今的三級古蹟，且為臺灣「書院類建築物之最完整者…完整的保持初建原貌」。分析原因，可歸納其得力於在環境區位上的清幽僻靜，在建築整修上的保守護持，在人事組織上的穩定傳承。

Academy is an important educational institution of ancient education, the traditional College of Taiwan began in the Qing Kangxi 22, the Taiwan Government of the West Set Square College, observing the history of Taiwan Academy in the past hundreds of years, can be distinguished as four paragraph ups and downs: (i) initial stage-Yo Qing Kangxi 22-42 Years (1683~1703) for about 21 years. Essentially the nature of the semantics of a college. (ii) Vigorous period-about Qing Dynasty Kangxi 43 ~ Guangxu 20 (1704~1894), for about 191 years. In fact, the role of the imperial examination is very important. (iii) Weak period-Georgeschiming 28 ~ Republic of 70 (1894~1981), for about 88 years. The abolition of the Imperial examination system, the disintegration of the academy system, only the function of Wenchang belief. (iv) The revitalization period-the Republic of 71 ~ To date (1982~2018~), up to 37 years. The temples of the academy resumed its ritual and promoted cultural and educational landscape. In the history of the world, Tsaotun Academy is a three-class monument which continues to the present, and is the most complete of the Taiwan Academy. Intact to maintain the original appearance ＂. Analysis of the reasons, can be summed up in the environmental location of the quiet quiet, in the building renovation conservative preservation, the stability of the personnel organization.