The Wu Dizhou papers document both the professional career and personal life of Wu Dizhou, a Chinese Communist political figure, journalist, and cultural activist. After the Cultural Revolution, Wu participated in interviews and composed autobiographical writings that traced the ebbs and flows of his experiences during the tumultuous decades (Sub-Series I.1). Of particular note are his detailed accounts of his appointment to lead the First Team of the Anti-Japanese Resistance Propaganda Corps, beginning in 1938—later renamed the Seventh Team of Drama Propaganda in 1941. In various essays, Wu described the team's formation, membership, and travels with great care (Sub-Series I.2). A prolific writer, he produced several autobiographical narratives recalling his career in Hong Kong, drama scripts, and art reviews (Sub-Series I.3).

During the Cultural Revolution, Wu was forced to compose dozens of confessions detailing his work, motivations, and relationships, and also wrote dozens of testimonials in support of friends and former colleagues (Series II). These original writings constitute significant firsthand accounts of an individual's experiences during this tumultuous decade. Series III, arranged chronologically, contains correspondence between Wu and his friends and family, including both family letters and letters addressed to him posthumously. The collection also preserves photographs, albums, diaries, notebooks, and printed matter, which together provide further perspectives on Wu's life and career.

In addition, the papers include correspondence and administrative files concerning the life of Wu Jian, Wu Dizhou's second son, who committed suicide in January 1976 at Technical School of the Northeast First Hydropower Engineering Bureau. Series VIII comprises autobiographies, correspondence, and diaries by Zhang Peihua, Wu Dizhou's wife, who dedicated significant effort to organizing the Wu family files and preserving Wu's legacy.

吴荻舟档案记录了中国共产党政治人物、记者、文化活动家吴荻舟的职业生涯与个人生活。在其晚年，吴接受了多次访谈，并撰写编录了多篇自传以追溯其职业生涯。其中他详细回忆了自己受任领导抗宣一队（1941 年更名为剧宣七队），以及在香港的活动经历。此外，吴更是一位笔耕不辍的记者与作家，本档案收录了其创作的多篇自传、戏剧剧本以及艺术评论。

吴荻舟在文化大革命期间被下放宁夏干校；在文革期间，吴遭受审查，撰写了近百份交代材料，后为朋友及昔日同僚平反，也撰写了数篇证明材料。这些文稿是研究个人在这一动荡年代中亲身经历的珍贵一手资料。本档案同时收录了吴荻舟与其亲友之间的通信，包括家信以及吴身后收到的信件。档案还保存了照片、相册、日记、笔记本以及各类印刷品，从不同角度进一步展现了吴荻舟多面的生活与事业。

此外，档案中还包含与吴建相关的通信及其他材料。吴建是吴荻舟的次子，文革期间在吉林白山在东北水电一局技校受迫害自杀。最末一系列收录了吴荻舟的妻子张佩华的自传、书信与日记。张佩华为整理吴家档案、保存吴荻舟的知识遗产付出了大量心血。