Consists of the working and personal papers of Thomas Baird. The papers primarily contain draft and final manuscripts of Baird's published works, such as: Triumphal Entry (1962), The Old Masters (1963), People Who Pull You Down (1970), The Way to the Old Sailors Home (1977), Poor Millie (1978), Villa Aphrodite (1984) and Smart Rats (1990) [young adult]. Also included are notes, writing journals, correspondence between Baird and his publishers and editors, fan mail, and reviews. There is also a selection of manuscripts and related material for Baird's unpublished works, ideas and notes for planned works, literature reviews by Baird, as well as manuscripts and notes from talks, addresses and lectures given by Baird.

The other correspondence contained in the collection includes general letters, family letters and travel related letters from Canada, Mexico and Wyoming. There is also a variety of Baird's personal writings that include notes, diaries and journals from 1944 to 1990.

Other materials included in the collection consist of the transcript of an interview with Baird for the National Gallery of Art Oral History Program in 1989, publishing contracts, royalty reports, his wine cellar inventory, estate papers for his parents Alice and Edgar Baird, invitations to Baird's memorial service at Trinity College and assorted photographs. There is also a selection of audio recordings which include cassettes tapes of Baird reading four of his novels, an interview with Baird for Voice of America, and the speakers at his memorial service.

Throughout the collection there are notes written by Michael Mahoney, executor of Baird's estate, that assist in identification of the materials.