The museum - the only one of its kind in Germany - provides insight into the life and work of Gerhart Hauptmann, who lived in this house from 1885 to 1889 and found his way to writing here. In recognition of Erkner's influence on the literary figure, the name "Gerhart Hauptmann City" was added in 2012.
 
The museum's furnishings have been reconstructed from the partial estate of the Nobel Prize winner: Paintings, furniture and other everyday objects of the family and the 19th century give an authentic insight into Hauptmann's time. Visitors can book a guided tour, and film screenings are also available upon request. The museum is also a tourist information point. It also maintains and houses a research archive, which complements the exhibition with a diverse collection.
 
The museum also organizes readings, concerts, film screenings, special exhibitions and bicycle tours in Hauptmann's footsteps. In summer, "Hauptmann's garden stage" is set up in the small park and plays are performed. Around the poet's birthday in November, the museum offers with the Gerhart Hauptmann Days every year a very special, always varying series of events with different formats.
 
Sculptures by Sabina Grzimek can be seen in the park. Along the Gerhart-Hauptmann-Weg, initiated by the museum, you can walk through the city in the footsteps of the writer. Signboards explain the significance of each location for Hauptmann's life and work.
 
The bus stop Erkner - G.-Hauptmann-Str. is located directly at the museum, and the bus stop Erkner - Genezareth-Kirche is also in the immediate vicinity. Further sights can be found in the immediate vicinity.