The Howard Bridgman Diary chronicles the daily activities of a TVA mailroom worker during the first few months of 1936. This handwritten diary of about 56 pages (approximately 13,000 words) records important events in TVA's history, such as the opening of Norris Dam and the decision in the George Ashwander case against the agency, while documenting the mundane details of working in the TVA mailroom. Bridgman also discusses the southern labor movement, the Communist Party, and the Highlander Folk School. The diary equally describes his social activities, such as hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains and a trip to the Highlander Folk School, and mentions his TVA colleagues, the most important being Appalachian Trail founder Benton MacKaye.

Also included in the collection is a full transcription of the diary.