Thom Reed UFO Park Sculpture, that sites at Ground Zero in Sheffiled, MA.

Official Archive: the 1969 Berkshires UFO Incident

Thom Reed UFO Incident: Historical Record and Primary Source Archive

Official State-Archived Repository dedicated to preserve all records. The Thom Reed UFO Incident is the Berkshires UFO

DECLARATION OF HISTORICAL RECORD & SOLE AUTHORITY

With family residency in Sheffield dating back to 1963—including documented newspaper coverage of our UFO sighting in 1967—our history with this topic long predates the September 1, 1969 encounter. Since formally establishing the brand and official state recognition in 2015, The Thom Reed Incident is the Berkshires UFO™. As the primary witness, founder, and official archivist, I have established BERKSHIRESUFO.COM as the sole primary-source repository and authoritative record for this historic event.
The historical record is verified, archived, and legally established. Fabricated claims and media misrepresentations will no longer substitute for primary evidence, and parties publishing defamatory statements or false assertions will be held legally accountable.

AMENDED GOVERNOR’S CITATION — COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Conferred on Thomas E. Reed on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and signed by Governor Charles D. Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn E. Polito, with the Great Seal of the Commonwealth and the seal of Kevin W. Titus, Justice of the Peace. In this Governor's Citation, the Commonwealth recognizes the off-world incident of September 1, 1969, which engaged the Reed family, as factually upheld and deemed historically significant and true by Massachusetts historians. The citation confirms that the records of the incident are officially part of Massachusetts history.
Significance: The Great Barrington Historical Society formally and officially inducted the case and described it, in its own words, as the first off-world/UFO case in US history. Nine months later, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, acting on behalf of the citizens of Massachusetts, put the Commonwealth's name behind Thom Reed's State induction. The Thom Reed UFO Incident carries both institutional archiving and official state recognition at the highest level of Massachusetts government.

STATE PRECEDENT:

FORMAL INDUCTION INTO MASSACHUSETTS HISTORY

In February 2015, the Great Barrington Historical Society & Museum executed a formal, legally notarized induction of the Reed family's September 1, 1969 encounter into the official U.S. historical record. The Society formally validated the incident as "historically significant and true," explicitly classifying it as "the first off-world/UFO case in US History." This unprecedented archival decision was predicated upon strict evidentiary thresholds, including corroborated physical trace evidence, verifiable first-hand testimony, documented polygraph examinations, a Hynek classification, and the real-time 1969 WSBS radio broadcast. The formal induction was subsequently chronicled by major media outlets, including the Boston Globe and ABC News NY.
State-level ratification immediately followed. On October 27, 2015 (amended November 3, 2015), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued a formal Governor's Citation, conferred upon Thom Reed by Governor Charles D. Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn E. Polito. This executive action officially recognized the off-world incident as factually upheld by Massachusetts historians and formally acknowledged its inclusion within the Society's archived collection. As noted by the Berkshire Eagle, this induction elevates the event's historical permanence alongside foundational state records such as the Boston Tea Party.
Howard Reed operated as a practicing attorney and an elected selectman of the Town of Canaan. In 1983, Senator Christopher J. Dodd provided documented campaign and endorsement assistance, formally engaging with Howard regarding the family's encounter. Because of this rigorous foundation in law and public office, the case met the strict criteria required for international review, culminating in its formal presentation to the United Nations in 1992. Today, It stands as the definitive standard for the UAP classification: moving definitively from localized phenomenon to documented, archived, and publicly accountable US history.

GOVERNMENTAL STANDING: OFFICIAL RECORD OF ELECTED PUBLIC SERVICE — DR. HOWARD W. REED

The historical permanence and international recognition of the Reed case are inextricably linked to the unimpeachable legal pedigree and public standing of its primary witness.
It was this foundation in law and elected office that provided the strict, undeniable credibility required to ultimately elevate the family's evidence to the United Nations.
Doctorate of Jurisprudence: On October 15, 1983, the Western New England College School of Law officially conferred the degree of Juris Doctor upon Howard W. Reed. This advanced legal doctorate served as a cornerstone qualification in his professional public profile.
Verified Executive Authority: Official municipal documentation issued by the Town of Canaan confirms that Howard Reed held the elected executive office of Selectman for two consecutive terms.
Federal Political Engagement: His standing in public office and legal expertise garnered direct engagement from the United States Senate. In an official communication dated September 21, 1983, Senator Christopher J. Dodd personally extended campaign endorsements and strategic political assistance to Howard Reed.

THOM REED - UFO PARK

Supported by Icons, Visionaries, and Global Entities:

The park's funded and protected by global institutions, media icons, and legendary artists:

International UFO Museum (Roswell, NM): Partnered in 2015 to gift the prominent replica sign of Massachusetts' official State Citation, cementing the site's historical relevance.
Unsolved Mysteries (Netflix): During on-site filming for Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries, network executives issued a donation for a park bench near the entrance to the historic covered bridge where Reed filmed with them. The episode, however, was a debacle, heavily distorting the official state records and concealing critical facts.
Ancient Aliens & History Channel: Production funded the iconic Sun-shaped entrance sculpture designed by artist Len Morneau. Show personality Mike Bara hosted free public events and donated a park bench.
The Travel Channel: Officially sponsored the park grounds following two back-to-back on-location TV shoots in 2024.
Ben Hansen & Travis Walton: The ufology elite share a dedicated sponsor bench, uniting the host of Fact or Faked with the legendary inspiration behind Fire in the Sky.
Rita King & Tyrone Vaughan: The families of blues royalty (B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan) dedicated a memorial bench and plaque honoring loved ones lost—including Howard Reed, whose tragic passing on the incidents anniversary was noted at the United Nations on Oct 2nd.
Doug Sakmann: The late Unsolved Mysteries director and effects artist is permanently honored here; his ashes are embossed into the park bench overlooking where he and Thom Reed filmed together in 2020.

LEGAL ACTION:

ATTORNEY RETAINED FOR COURT DECLARATION OF EVIDENCE

To authenticate the first UFO encounter in U.S. history officially inducted into public archives as "historically true", the Kessler Law Firm traveled to the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico, to mine primary source documents. The Great Barrington Historical Society relied on the Reed family as a central source due to their extensive paper trail and pillar standing in the community, providing the verifiable foundation required to solidify the historic record.
As documented by the Roswell Daily Record and the Carlsbad Current-Argus, legal counsel corroborated physical and testimonial data for formal state archiving and potential court Declaratory Judgment. This systematic legal vetting built directly upon the foundation established by the late Dr. Howard W. Reed, whose earned Juris Doctor degree and elected municipal executive service provided the statutory authority and witness credibility that originally launched the case toward United Nations presentation and official state recognition.
Legal Retention: Kessler Law Firm Representation & Declaratory Judgment Mandate (Sept 3, 2012).
Print Records: Roswell Daily Record (2023) & Carlsbad Current-Argus (2013).
Institutional Induction: Great Barrington Historical Society Official Induction Decrees (2015).
Legal & Executive Foundation: The late Howard W. Reed, Western New England Law J.D. (1983) & Town of Canaan Selectman Record (2012)

FIELD INVESTIGATION — LAW FIRM DISPATCHED TO ROSWELL TO INSPECT REED FAMILY DISPLAY & MINE ARCHIVAL EVIDENCE

(JULY 2013)

In July 2013, during the annual Roswell UFO Festival, Debbie Kessler of the Kessler Law Firm traveled to the International UFO Museum and Research Library to observe public interest and evaluate the Reed Family Incident. Following Thom Reed’s presentation, legal counsel met directly with Reed to discuss the details of the case—a historic meeting captured on site, with Reed's UFO incident already featured and on display due to its presentation at the United Nations decades earlier. Today, the Reed Family Incident remains permanently archived at the International UFO Museum.
Primary source UAP documentation was systematically gathered by the Kessler Law Firm to serve as official state-level reference material regarding the September 1, 1969 Thom Reed UFO incident. The firm returned to the research library the following day to retrieve archival records intended to support state historical integration and a potential Declaratory Judgment. This on-site legal undertaking was recorded in print by the Carlsbad Current-Argus, demonstrating a formal effort to verify and preserve the historical record.
Primary Evidentiary Citations:
Print Record: Carlsbad Current-Argus (July 2013 Photo & Event Feature).
Legal Retention: Kessler Law Firm Evidence Authentication Mandate (Sept 3, 2012).
Archival Repository: International UFO Museum and Research Center, Roswell, NM.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER OF THOM REED:

LICENSED SECURITY ENGINEER & NATIONAL ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR

Thom E. Reed’s bonded career managing federal GSA contracts as a state-licensed systems engineering contractor provides the objective foundation for the evidentiary reliability of the Reed Family UFO Incident. Administering federal General Services Administration (GSA) contracts—primarily through Vicon Industries Inc.—Reed’s operational scope required high-level security clearance, bonding, and technical oversight for multi-million-dollar access control and physical surveillance architecture across critical federal, aviation, and municipal infrastructure. His project deployments included high-security surveillance systems for Miami-Dade Aviation, American Airlines, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Holding Florida State Contractor Licensure (FL #EF0000548, #EF0000772, #EF000230) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) technical certification, Thom Reed’s specialized background in optics, physical access tracking, and government-level security integration established a vetted standard of witness credibility.
Exhibit A (State Contractor Licensure & UL Certification): Florida State Contractor Licenses (#EF0000548, #EF0000772, #EF000230) and Underwriters Laboratories Integrated Systems Record (#656992-058).
Exhibit B (Government & Federal Infrastructure Vetting): Bonded GSA contract administration and engineering records for high-security commercial, aviation, and federal installations, primarily via Vicon Industries Inc Inc.

FEDERAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: USPTO SERVICE MARK REGISTRATION & CORPORATE STANDING — MIAMI MODELS INC. (THOMAS E. REED)

Thom E. Reed’s executive background in political campaign management, film production, and corporate entertainment served strictly as a strategic platform to bring nationwide public and institutional awareness to a pre-existing, historically archived event. In addition to directing municipal political campaigns for his late father, elected Selectman Dr. Howard W. Reed, Thom Reed founded the international talent management firm Miami Models Inc. (Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S #030069608). He maintained executive corporate governance over a multi-office operation spanning South Beach, Hollywood, Boynton Beach, and Boca Raton, Florida, generating over $280,000 in documented annual revenue.

With representation agreements including the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders for Universal Pictures' Miami Vice, Reed strategically leveraged his campaign management experience, media contacts, and industry credibility to advocate for the factual historical record of the 1969 Berkshire Incident.

Primary Media & Campaign Records:

Exhibit A (Political Campaign Management): Campaign management and strategic public communications records for municipal executive elections (Selectman, Dr. Howard W. Reed).
Exhibit B (Corporate Entity & Financial Standing): Miami Models Inc. (D&B Record #030069608) — Executive corporate oversight, $280,000+ documented annual revenue, and regional office operations across South Beach, Hollywood, Boynton Beach, and Boca Raton, FL.
Exhibit C (Feature & Commercial Motion Picture Accounts): Formal contract representation records (Miami Vice / Universal Pictures) and commercial production billing (Beber Silverstein Group / BSP Group).

UNSOLICITED STATE CITATIONS:

OFFICIAL GOVERNOR MAILINGS

FACT CHECK: GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CITATION DISPATCHES

The Fact: Official postal records prove Thomas E. Reed was living 1,000 miles away in Concord, TN when the Massachusetts Governor's Office issued two Executive Citations. The dispatches were requested independently by the Historical Society and mailed directly across state lines—refuting false claims by reporter Terry Cowgill that Reed solicited them in person at the State House.
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The Dispatches:

Original Citation: Mailed from Boston to TN; accidentally omitted the incident date.
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Amended Citation: Mailed shortly after; included the corrected September 1, 1969 date.
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Exhibits 1B & 1C: Sequential padded envelopes from the Office of the Governor (Boston, MA 02133) to Thomas E. Reed (Knoxville, TN 37922). Sealed with witness signatures and a notarized Justice of the Peace seal (May 26, 2017), establishing an unbroken chain of custody and confirming zero direct contact between Reed and the Governor's Office. JPG+ 1

LEGAL CREDENTIALS:

JURIS DOCTOR DEGREE HOWARD W. REED, J.D.

This archive is dedicated to Dr. Howard W. Reed (J.D.), whose legal credentials established the formal foundation for the Reed family’s historical record, including submissions before the United Nations. Prior to his passing, Dr. Reed documented his memoir, chronicling the 1969 incident alongside the regional Space Race era. That history was directly tied to the family’s Sheffield diner—a gathering spot for 1960s aerospace engineers where discussions introduced the concept of sending a silicon goodwill message, or "calling card," to the Moon aboard Apollo 11. Dr. Reed passed away on September 1, 2003, marking the exact 34th anniversary of the Reeds' United Nations address. The UFO Park carries forward his legacy and the diner’s founding ethos: an open, non-judgmental sanctuary for public record and free expression.
IN MEMORIAM: DR. HOWARD W. REED (J.D.)
Legal Authority & UN Record: Applied his Juris Doctor credential and years in public office to build an objective evidentiary record, culminating in formal submissions before the United Nations.
Memoir & Space Race Documentation: Chronicled the history of the family’s Sheffield diner as the local hub where 1960s aerospace engineers introduced the idea of placing a silicon goodwill "calling card" on the Moon for Apollo 11.
Chronological Marker: Passed away on September 1, 2003 (the exact 34th anniversary of the United Nations address) following discussions of his memoir.
Civic Legacy: The UFO Park operates as a physical continuation of the Sheffield diner’s core principles—a welcoming, non-judgmental space for community dialogue, historical preservation, and public record.

HISTORIC DISCLOSURE FILE:

International UFO Museum Selects History-Maker Thom Reed to Host National UAP Event with Congressman Tim Burchett.

Official correspondence from the International UFO Museum & Research Center (IUFOMRC) to the U.S. House of Representatives formally affirms that Thom Reed’s 1969 Sheffield, Massachusetts encounter made U.S. history as the first UFO case officially archived as historically true. Recognizing this landmark standing, museum executive leadership selected Thom Reed as the principal host and organizer of their national UAP Disclosure Panel in Roswell, New Mexico, coordinating directly with U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett to place the Berkshires UFO case at the very center of national disclosure.

INSTITUTIONAL ENDORSEMENT & CONGRESSIONAL

LIAISON, INTERNATIONAL UFO MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER

Document Type: Official Institutional Correspondence / Congressional Liaison Record
Receiving Authority: Office of Congressman Tim Burchett, U.S. House of Representatives (Washington, D.C.)
Record Classification: National Disclosure Coordination & Historic Case Verification
Historic Case Affirmation: Formally confirms the 1969 Sheffield, Massachusetts incident as a history-making UFO encounter—officially archived as historically true and featured within the International UFO Museum & Research Center.
National Directorship & Panel Hosting: Documents Thomas E. Reed as the primary host, organizer, and lead for the national UAP Disclosure Panel in Roswell, New Mexico.
Congressional Liaison & Coordination: Records official administrative correspondence with the U.S. House of Representatives coordinating the appearance of U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett.

SWORN SHEFFIELD RECORD:

Setting the Historical Record Straight on the 1969 Encounter

While mainstream TV shows like Unsolved Mysteries incorrectly labeled the 1969 encounter as "Great Barrington," sworn legal affidavits prove the actual event occurred strictly in Sheffield, Massachusetts. Affiant Gina Paul provides firsthand neighborhood proof, confirming she grew up at 1427 Boardman Street in Sheffield where she and her sister rode the daily school bus with Thomas and Matthew Reed (Burrows).
In a chilling and unnerving historical detail, Paul recalls walking into her classroom at Sheffield Center School right after Labor Day weekend and seeing student artwork lining the walls. Multiple local children had drawn pear-shaped alien entities with round heads and pointy jaws, recording the immediate physical aftermath of what happened in Sheffield. This notarized document stands as an authentic Sheffield record directly correcting past media errors and formally endorsing Thom Reed's historic case induction.

SWORN PROOF:

Restoring Sheffield as the True Site of Law Enforcement Response Because the Encounter Never Occurred in Great Barrington

Correcting the Media Narrative Law Enforcement Action Belonged Strictly to Sheffield, MA

The 1969 encounter never took place in Great Barrington. While the Netflix series Unsolved Mysteries featured witness Edward Gulotta recalling his September 1, 1969 search for the craft, the media narrative went off the rails when producers interviewed Great Barrington police officers on camera. Great Barrington PD naturally had no records or dispatch logs—not because a report wasn't filed, but because the event did not happen in their jurisdiction.
This notarized legal affidavit delivers sworn proof that sets the historical and legal record straight. As the son of Sheffield Police Chief Santi Gulotta, Edward verifies under legal seal that Nancy Burrows Reed (mother of Thom Reed) filed her police report directly with the Sheffield Police Department.
Chief Gulotta and his family were daily regulars at the Reed family's Sheffield diner during the Space Race era, making the diner the true community hub for news, Space Race discussions, and the UFO encounter. This sworn document proves that official law enforcement dispatch, investigation, and reporting belonged strictly to Sheffield, Massachusetts
Evidence Classification: Sworn Proof — Official Law Enforcement Filing & Jurisdictional Correction
True Dispatched Law Enforcement Agency: Sheffield Police Department (Sheffield, MA)
Receiving Law Enforcement Official: Chief of Police Santi Gulotta (Sheffield Police Department)
Execution & Legal Seal: Dated April 16, 2015; Notarized April 24, 2015 by Tammy L. Blackwell, Notary Public (Commonwealth of Massachusetts

SWORN PROOF:

Contemporaneous WSBS Radio Bulletins Formally Corroborate Reed's 1969 Sheffield Encounter

Legal Affidavit Verifies Real-Time Regional Broadcast Anchored Strictly to Sheffield, MA

This notarized legal affidavit executed by affiant Leigh Magadini establishes sworn proof of real-time media coverage during the September 1, 1969 encounter. Listening from neighboring Great Barrington, Magadini testifies under legal seal to hearing live news bulletins on local radio station WSBS detailing a family with two children who lived on a horse farm on Boardman Street in Sheffield, Massachusetts, who encountered a UFO firsthand.
Affiant Magadini’s sworn statement confirms that WSBS broadcast announcers were receiving numerous reports from local residents witnessing unexplainable aerial phenomena that night in Sheffield. The live broadcast triggered immediate household debate between her parents, Earl and Annette Raifstanger, substantiating the immediate public impact across the region. This sworn legal instrument explicitly establishes that the broadcast event and underlying emergency reports were anchored strictly to the town of Sheffield, MA.
Recording Body & Deposition Context: Recorded February 25, 2015 under direction of Debbie U. Oppermann, Director of The Great Barrington Historical Society
Corroborated Broadcast Media: WSBS Local Radio Station (News Division / Emergency Live Bulletins)

ARCHIVAL PROOF:

Civic Leadership and Personal Fortitude Preceding United Nations Presentation

Turning Adversity into Unbroken Public Trust
Nancy Burrows Reed faced persistent local pressure and targeted verbal harassment at the family’s Sheffield diner—most notably from a recurring group of regulars who frequently provoked public hostility. Rather than retreating, Nancy responded by opening her doors even wider.
Located directly across the street from the local elementary school, she turned the diner into a judgment-free community hub, offering weekly tabs for neighborhood children who gathered after school to play the jukebox and enjoy thick coffee milkshakes while awaiting their parents.
Seeking a constructive fresh start, Nancy eventually sold her holdings and relocated to Canaan, Connecticut, bringing that same commitment to community leadership with her. Official municipal records document her formal appointment to the Canaan Recreation Commission in July 1986, where she served a three-year term alongside regional administrators. This record of municipal trust highlights the deep personal fortitude and administrative credibility Nancy maintained, establishing an unbroken foundation of civic standing years before the Reed family’s historic case was presented to the United Nations

MUNICIPAL REGISTRY CONFIRMS ATTORNEY HOWARD REED’S ZONING AUTHORITY EXPOSES TERRY COWGILL’S MATERIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Attorney Howard Reed’s Legal Career and Municipal Standing

Cowgill’s False Reporting

Why The Hostile Tone and Outright Lies in Cowgill’s Retaliatory Coverage. He's Unprofessional, Overtly Personal, and Slanderous:

Official municipal registry records verify that practicing attorney and elected Town Selectman Howard Reed served a five-year appointment on the Planning and Zoning Commission (Nov. 1989). Throughout his legal career and public service, Reed held formal administrative authority over municipal land-use compliance, structural setbacks, and regional beautification standards.
This evidentiary record provides vital context regarding an unpermitted 10-foot roadside satellite installation in Sharon, Connecticut, for which writer Terry Cowgill solicited Howard Reed’s informal political intervention. Reed’s refusal to leverage informal influence or compromise statutory regulations ignited an entrenched animosity that spanned decades.
The conflict of interest occurred when Cowgill concealed this personal dispute while acting as a news reporter. Cowgill subsequently leveraged his position at The Berkshire Eagle and The Berkshire Record to execute a multi-decade smear campaign targeting Thom Reed and the Reed family's historic UFO account, persisting even after formal notices and demands for retraction were issued. By using regional publications to target a family with whom he held an undisclosed feud stemming from a denied favor, Cowgill breached fundamental journalistic ethics, substituting personal retaliation for objective reporting.

MEDIA FORENSICS:

TERRY COWGILL THE SINGLE-SOURCE OF THE FALSE REPORTING

How a Single Columnist’s Published Falsehoods Were Blindly Syndicated Across Regional Outlets

EXHIBIT CAPTION & ANALYSIS

A forensic examination of regional media coverage regarding the Thom Reed UFO Monument demonstrates that the negative news cycle was not the result of independent investigation by multiple journalists, but the product of a single source: Terry Cowgill.

Cowgill repeatedly published false information regarding municipal authorizations, town records, and state actions. Claims directly disproved by official Town of Sheffield legal correspondence and public records. Secondary news platforms subsequently "piggybacked" on Cowgill's liable articles, reprinting his claims without reviewing municipal filings. In reality, the entire chain of adverse press stems from a single individual whose published articles directly contradicted verified municipal records and official town actions.

EVIDENTIARY BREAKDOWN: SINGLE-SOURCE SYNDICATION

Single Origin Point: The false narratives - Terry Cowgill.
Direct Contradiction of Public Record: Official legal correspondence to Town Counsel Mark R. Reich, Esq., confirms that Town Administrator Rhonda LaBombard personally marked the site, directed installation, and secured approvals, disproving Cowgill's published narrative.en

HISTORICAL ARCHIVE - REED’S DINER

SHEFFIELD’S 1960S SPACE RACE HUB & FOCUS POINT FOR THE REED FAMILY OFF-WORLD UFO INCIDENT aka BERKSHIRES UFO

The Operational Intersection of Berkshire Space Race Personnel, the Reed Family, and the 1969 Historical Record Located on Route 7 in Sheffield, Massachusetts, the Reed family’s establishment, The Village Green, served as the primary 1960s hub for Berkshire County’s Space Race workforce, connecting defense contractors, satellite tracking engineers, and local residents. Following the September 1, 1969 encounters, it became the documented central locus where eyewitness accounts, timelines, and official reports entered the public record, anchoring the historical event directly to the region's scientific and industrial community.

A Legal & Historical Rebuttal to Media Inaccuracies (1969 Incident)

AFFIDAVIT EVIDENCE & SWORN WITNESS TESTIMONY REED'S 4TH GRADE UFO DRAWINGS

Sworn Testimony of Classmate & Eyewitness Gina Paul : Under penalty of perjury, a Historical Society–vetted witness, who rode the exact same school bus with the Reed brothers in 1969, has formally deposed and affirmed seeing fourth-grade student artwork depicting the encounter taped to the classroom chalkboard. An original drawing by Thomas Reed from this period is currently archived and preserved at the International UFO Museum & Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico.
Correction of Jurisdiction & Geographic Record: Mainstream media broadcasts (including Unsolved Mysteries) erroneously designated the September 1, 1969 event as occurring in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Duly executed legal affidavits formally establish that the primary locus of the event was Sheffield, Massachusetts.
Corroborating Multi-Witness Classroom Evidence: Sworn statements detail that upon returning to Sheffield Center School immediately following Labor Day weekend in September 1969, multiple students independently produced artwork displaying consistent physical characteristics of non-human entities (specifically pear-shaped bodies, rounded heads, and pointed jaws). This provides concurrent, multi-witness documentation from minors executed immediately following the event.

THE HISTORICAL NEWS PAPER RECORD

Primary source materials refute claims that regional encounters were unrecorded by the press.

Publication: The Berkshire Eagle, March 10, 1967
Subject: Documented local reporting of aerial phenomena in Sheffiled, MA. (Berkshire County)
Archival Note: Serves as verified print evidence confirming contemporaneous public and news interest prior to subsequent 1969 events

Reed owns “Berkshires UFO” trademark & BerkshiresUFO.com

News Nation, Thom Reed makes U.S. History his "Berkshires UFO" is featured on Netflix

HOW & WHY THOM REED'S UFO INCIDENT WAS TRADEMARKED “The Berkshires UFO” in 2015:

Sheffield, a town with a population of around 3,000, emerged as an unexpected hub for discussions on UFO's and Space, particularly in light of the Thom Reed UFO incident, which attracted attention throughout the county. Nancy Reed's diner, was often visited by engineers from the Space Race, This area was teeming with government-related activity, and the diner’s influence reached far beyond Sheffield. The significance of the Reed's Off-World Incident aka Berkshire UFO branding had a countywide impact, providing the nearby Great Barrington Historical Society with the regional connection needed to archive Thom Reed and his experiences. This historical context supports Thom Reed’s ownership of the “Berkshires UFO” trademark and the domain name BerkshiresUFO.com, which is intertwined with the wider narrative of Berkshire UFO history and the establishment of UFO Park Sheffield.

NATIONAL BROADCAST:

FOX PRIMETIME ADDRESSES PHYSICAL EFFECTS & TRADEMARK HOLDER THOM REED

The 1969 incident was a single family's encounter. No Member of the Reed family has ever stated they were "abducted by aliens in 1969" The factual record verifies they were intercepted by government personnel while surrounded by Off-World vehicles. Attributing "abduction claims with regard to Thom Reed is a false characterization that directly violates certified state records.

There is no standalone event known as the Berkshires UFO:

The term is a private brand registered by Thom Reed in 2016, based entirely on the 1969 "Reed Family Off-World Incident" documented in 1969. The first TV documentary was in 2012 by Discovery Channel "The Reed Family"

FEDERAL FIELD ACTION:

FORCED RESIDENTIAL DETENTION & MANDATED INTERROGATION DIRECTIVE

Under strict executive protocols, KeyPoint Government Solutions covertly deployed a federal agent to interrogate Thomas Reed. The targeted inquiry focused explicitly on his family’s September 1, 1969 UAP incident and his 1992 United Nations briefing. The matter concluded with formal execution under the Privacy Act of 1974. This record stands as a system-vetted matter of national security. The Thom Reed record stands as a system-vetted matter of national security, permanently logged under active federal oversight and official state archives.

Hynek Classification:

According to the State of Massachusetts, the widely witnessed Reed Off-World UFO Incident was assigned a Hynek classification in September, 1969, during the final months of Project Blue Book.

HISTORICAL PROOF:

1960s BERKSHIRE EAGLE COVERAGE

FACT CHECK:

1960s REED FAMILY / BERKSHIRE UFO NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

The Fact: Primary print archives from The Berkshire Eagle (Berkshire County’s major daily newspaper) prove extensive 1960s UFO coverage across Sheffield, South Egremont, and Great Barrington—refuting false Wikipedia claims that no contemporary news articles exist.
Featured Article: "Two women pursue UFO for distance of 10 miles" (The Berkshire Eagle, March 10, 1967), documenting multi-town sightings, road tracking, and corroborating witness accounts.
Archival Access: High-resolution scans of full-size original newspaper pages are available under the Legal tab

OFFICIAL STATE RECORD:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Issued Two Distinct, Authenticated Governor’s Citations to Thomas E. Reed (Oct. 27 & Nov. 3, 2015)

There was no “backpedaling,” and the first Citation was not written in error, as falsely reported by Berkshire Eagle writer Terry Cowgill. The records show that the November 3, 2015 Citation was an amendment correcting the missing date on the October Citation.
Cowgill knew the Historical Society’s archival process and the circumstances surrounding the Citation. He knew what the November 3 Citation actually represented, the addition of the incident date. Yet his article falsely claimed that the Governor’s Citation was written in error. Cowgill knowingly and willfully reported a falsehood. The November 3 Citation speaks for itself—and the documentary record directly contradicts his account.

THOM REED — POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION

On August 4, 2010, Thom Reed underwent a polygraph examination at the Advanced Polygraph Institute concerning his account of the September 1, 1969 Reed family UFO incident in Sheffield, Massachusetts. The reported result was 99.1% truthful, as also reported by The Berkshire Edge.
The examination became part of the Thom Reed - Berkshires UFO evidentiary record and was among the materials submitted during the Historical Society’s archival process.
POLYGRAPH RESULT: 99.1% TRUTHFUL | DATE: August 4, 2010 | SUBJECT: Thom Reed | EXAMINATION: September 1, 1969 Reed family UFO incident

THOM REED WSBS-AM BROADCAST, 1969 RADIO RECORD OF THE THOM REED UFO INCIDENT

The Thom Reed UFO Incident was the subject of contemporaneous WSBS-AM radio broadcasting in 1969, placing the matter within the historical record during the same period in which the reported incident occurred. This is not a later reconstruction, retrospective interview, or modern retelling. It is broadcast material originating from the period itself. Its existence provides contemporaneous source documentation that the Reed family UFO incident was being publicly discussed through local radio at the time. The broadcast therefore constitutes an important piece of the surviving documentary record surrounding the Reed family incident. DATE: 1969 | SOURCE: WSBS-AM Radio Broadcast | SUBJECT: Thom Reed / Reed Family UFO Incident | CASE TYPE: Single-Family Case | CHARACTER: Contemporaneous Broadcast Record

GREAT BARRINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM

The Great Barrington Historical Society held a UFO meet-and-greet event featuring Thom Reed in connection with its formal archival recognition of the Reed Family Encounter, aka “The Berkshires UFO.” The purpose was to publicly announce and highlight the Society’s archival recognition of the Reed Off-World Event and the person formally associated with that historical record: Thom Reed.
The significance is clear: Tom Warner was not invited, was not mentioned, and was not presented as a witness or participant at this event—or identified in connection with any other UFO-related event or activity conducted by the Historical Society.
Although Warner was a volunteer at the Historical Society, he was never identified, considered, or presented by the Historical Society itself as a witness or participant in the September 1, 1969 Reed Family Encounter, aka “The Berkshires UFO,” or in the State’s archival process. Even the Historical Society where Warner volunteered did not identify him in any such capacity.
Warner first learned of the Reed Family Encounter in 2014, a fact known to the Historical Society. The January 14, 2015 letter from Historical Society Director Debbie U. Oppermann to Thom Reed makes no mention of Warner or any role attributed to him.
Warner’s later, self-proclaimed involvement therefore stands in stark contrast to the contemporaneous record. The Historical Society was publicly recognizing and presenting the Reed Family Encounter as its archival subject, while Warner was neither identified nor presented as part of that history. His claimed role arose only after the fact and is not supported by the documentation establishing the State’s historical record.

INTERNATIONAL UFO MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER — SOURCE DOCUMENTATION

The International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico, worked with the attorney retained to research, obtain, and authenticate source documentation for the Great Barrington Historical Society’s archival process concerning the Reed Family and the October 2, 1992, United Nations Symposium on Extraterrestrial Intelligence. The materials sought included source documentation relating directly to the Reed Family and information known to those involved in the matter. These materials were not treated as ordinary public records. Documentation submitted for consideration was subject to authentication and/or certification, with certain materials requiring legal verification and, where applicable, court sealing. The Roswell Daily Record reported that attorney Kessler traveled to Roswell to mine for source documents relating to the Reed Family. The International UFO Museum and Research Center is also a current sponsor of the Thom Reed UFO Park.

THOM REED - BERKSHIRES UFO

UNITED NATIONS GA 33/426

On April 22, 2015, MUFON Director Harzan issued a formal memorandum to the Great Barrington Historical Society to officially authenticate the historical record of the Reed Family. This document certifies that Reed's retained counsel, Robert Bletchman, acting as Public Relations Director, formally submitted the Reed case file before the United Nations Symposium on Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Human Future on October 2, 1992. This presentation was executed in direct support of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/426. The directive further stipulates that the case served as the feature article in the July 2011 MUFON UFO Journal and highlights Bletchman's established professional alliance with J. Allen Hynek. Attorney Bletchman legally asserts that the corroborating environmental trace evidence, polygraph examinations, and witness testimonies are firmly established as "significant and compelling."

Senator Christopher J. Dodd:

Letter to Attorney Howard Reed

Letter dated September 21, 1983, on U.S. Senate letterhead, from Senator Christopher J. Dodd to The Honorable Howard Reed, First Selectman, Falls Village (Town of Canaan), CT. Signed by Dodd, with a "Paid for by Chris Dodd for Senate" footer.
What the letter shows: A sitting U.S. Senator wrote personally to Thom Reed's father, Howard Reed, wishing him success in his 1983 campaign and offering "whatever assistance" he needed. Dodd invited him to contact his office about endorsements and offered a campaign photograph session at the Hartford Hilton (Bushnell Room) at 6:00 PM on Saturday, September 24, the night of the 1983 Democratic Municipal Elections Dinner. Howard was to coordinate with Rosa DeLauro in Dodd's office.
Family context (account of Thom Reed): Howard Reed was an attorney and held local elected office. The family had friends in public office and on the Historical Society. Howard spoke in detail with Senator Dodd about the Reed family's 1969 UFO encounter, which was later presented at the United Nations in 1992.
How the case reached the United Nations (account of Thom Reed): Howard Reed's standing as an attorney and local official, and the family's connections in public office and the Historical Society, are why the Reed case was brought before the United Nations in 1992, when most witness cases never were.

America’s First UFO Case Formally Archived as U.S. History

Berkshires UFO IMDb Listing: Based on the Thom Reed family UFO incident of 1969 in Sheffield, MA.

Berkshires UFO - Netflix based on the official primary source document's and verified historical records for the 1969 Reed Family Off-World Incident.

MassLive Interview — “Berkshires UFO,” First Used by Thom Reed in July 2016

Berkshires UFO IMDb Listing: Based on the Thom Reed family UFO incident of 1969 in Sheffield, MA.

Thomas Reed uses his Trademark "Berkshires UFO" publicly in 2016 interview with Mass Live

Calling the 1969 UFO Incident a “Claim” Defies State Record

Berkshires UFO a public media brand used by Thom Reed since 2016.

Factual Notice to Media and Information Networks:

Under United States History Reed's encounter is an officially archived factually upheld historical fact. Labeling this verified record as "alleged" directly contradicts official state citations, court validation, and historical museum archives.

The Berkshires UFO: How Reed's Trademark Started:

Sheffield, Massachusetts: population roughly 3,000.

According to the 1970 U.S. Census, Berkshire County peaked at 149,402 — nearly 150,000. This disparity tells the entire story. The Reed family diner in Sheffield became more than just a local stop; it emerged as a hub for engineers linked to the space race, drawing visitors from all over the county. The Great Barrington Historical Society’s decision to officially archive the Thom Reed UFO incident in 1969 highlighted its broader geographic implications — the impact resonated throughout a county that boasts a population of nearly 150,000.

This wide-reaching impact is precisely why the brand is named "Berkshires UFO" rather than being limited to just the town of Sheffield. Thom Reed established "The Berkshires UFO" in 2015, following the Historical Society's decision to archive the incident pertaining to the history of Berkshire County. By referencing Berkshires UFO, Reed acknowledges the geographic reality recognized by the Historical Society, which is situated in a neighboring township. The name encapsulates a county-wide historical finding, rather than a localized narrative. Reed holds the trademark for "The Berkshires UFO" and operates berkshiresufo.com and ufopark.org, with the UFO Park Sheffield concept serving as an extension of this initiative. He first publicly used Berkshires UFO in 2016. The brand's origin, naming rationale, and ownership trace back directly to that pivotal 2015 decision, reflecting the geographic scope acknowledged by the Historical Society. While the events may have aged, the records and documents remain unchanged. Open them."

Coined the term "Berkshires UFO"

The Thom Reed UFO incident gained prominence in U.S. history in 2015, when Reed coined the term "Berkshires UFO" to highlight and promote the documented historical record of this extraordinary event. Officially archived as a historically true event, the incident has altered the historical and cultural narrative trajectory of Berkshire County forever.

Declaration of Brand Origin and Use:

“Berkshires UFO” is a brand created and owned by Thom Reed, continuously utilized in media since 2016. The brand aims to educate Berkshire County, the general public, and other interested parties about the significant implications of the Thom Reed UFO incident from 1969, including its documented connections to the era’s Space Race.

The Thom Reed UFO incident gained prominence in U.S. history in 2015, when Reed coined the term “Berkshires UFO” to highlight and promote the documented historical record of this extraordinary event. The incident was officially archived as a historically true event, becoming part of the historical record of Berkshire County and its cultural narrative.

The Berkshires UFO: How Reed’s Trademark Started:

Sheffield, Massachusetts: population roughly 3,000.

According to the 1970 U.S. Census, Berkshire County had a population of 149,402 — nearly 150,000. This disparity is important to understanding why the brand was not limited to the name Sheffield. The Reed family diner in Sheffield became more than just a local stop; it emerged as a hub for engineers linked to the Space Race, drawing visitors from throughout the county. The Great Barrington Historical Society’s decision to officially archive the Thom Reed UFO incident highlighted its broader geographic implications and its connection to the history of Berkshire County. This wide-reaching impact is precisely why the brand is named “Berkshires UFO” rather than being limited to the town of Sheffield.

Thom Reed established “The Berkshires UFO” in 2015, following the Historical Society’s decision to archive the incident as pertaining to the history of Berkshire County. By referencing Berkshires UFO, Reed acknowledges the geographic reality recognized through that historical process, with the Historical Society itself situated in a neighboring township.

The name encapsulates a county-wide historical finding rather than a localized narrative. Reed holds the trademark for “The Berkshires UFO” and operates BerkshiresUFO.com and UFOPark.org, with the UFO Park Sheffield concept serving as an extension of this initiative.

Although the name was established in 2015, Reed first publicly used “Berkshires UFO” in 2016. The brand’s origin, naming rationale, and ownership trace directly back to that pivotal 2015 decision and the historical record it recognized.

While the events may have aged, the records and documents remain unchanged. Open them.

Thomas E. Reed uses his trademark "Berkshires UFO" in a 2016 interview with Mass Live.

Click image for the full article

Reed's never cited “alien abduction” they said they were removed from their car by the government.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

CORRECTIONS TO THE PUBLIC RECORD

Subject: Historical Record, Archival Proceedings, Governor’s Citations, and Witness Status Concerning the September 1, 1969 Reed Family UFO Incident

Prepared by: Thomas E. Reed

1. PURPOSE OF THIS STATEMENT

The Thom Reed UFO incident, occurring on September 1, 1969, is a documented part of history. The incident was the subject of a formal archival process conducted by the Great Barrington Historical Society from 2013 through 2015, resulting in Reed’s formal induction into the historical record on February 6, 2015. The term “Berkshires UFO” is Reed’s trademarked name and brand, publicly used by him since 2016, and is directly associated with the Reed family incident and its documented historical record. This statement addresses factual inaccuracies concerning the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ archival process, the Great Barrington Historical Society’s proceedings, Unsolved Mysteries, and the historical record concerning the Thom Reed UFO incident, also referred to as the “Berkshires UFO.”

2. TOM WARNER — STATUS IN THE HISTORICAL RECORD
Tom Warner was not a physical witness to the September 1, 1969 Reed family encounter.
Warner is not identified as a witness in the contemporaneous or archival records concerning that event. Unlike witnesses whose testimony was formally submitted, reviewed, and incorporated into the evidentiary record concerning the Thom Reed UFO incident, Warner was never identified, vetted, or entered as a witness to the Reed family encounter by the Great Barrington Historical Society or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Warner’s involvement arose through his later association with the Historical Society during the 2013–2015 archival process. His name does not appear in contemporaneous 1969 records as a witness to the Reed family encounter, and his testimony was not incorporated into the historical documentation established during that archival process. Accordingly, Warner is not part of the evidentiary record established for the September 1, 1969 Reed family incident and should not be represented as a physical witness to that event. Source: Historical Society records dated 2015 and related archival documentation.

3. THOMAS E. REED AND THE “BERKSHIRES UFO” BRAND
I am Thomas E. Reed, the individual formally recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in connection with the September 1, 1969 Reed family UFO incident.
“Berkshires UFO” is my trademarked name and brand and has been publicly used by me since 2016. The name refers to the historical subject surrounding the Reed family incident and its documented archival history. The corrections set forth in this statement are based upon documentary records, including Commonwealth records, Historical Society records, archival materials, and other supporting documentation.

4. GOVERNOR’S CITATIONS
The Governor’s citations form part of the documentary record concerning Reed’s residency and the Commonwealth’s recognition of the Reed family incident. Both citations were mailed to Reed at his Tennessee address. The citation issued by Governor Charles D. Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn E. Polito was amended, not revoked. The original citation, issued in October 2015, did not include the September 1, 1969 incident date. It was subsequently amended to incorporate that date and reissued as a corrected citation on November 3, 2015. The corrected citation was mailed by the Governor’s office to Thomas E. Reed at his Tennessee address. Reed was not physically present in Boston to receive the citation. The citations were issued in connection with the Historical Society’s formal recognition and its February 6, 2015 archival determination concerning the Reed family UFO incident.
Sources: Corrected citation dated November 3, 2015 bearing Tennessee mailing address; Governor’s office transmittal records; United States Postal Service records.

5. HISTORICAL SOCIETY FORMAL ARCHIVING 2013–2015 INVENTORY PROCESS
The Great Barrington Historical Society conducted a formal archival inventory concerning the Reed family UFO incident from 2013 through 2015. As part of that process, legal research was conducted at the International UFO Museum & Research Library in Roswell. An attorney sought information within the Roswell archives concerning the Reed family incident and forwarded that research to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in connection with evidentiary questions concerning the September 1, 1969 encounter. On February 6, 2015, Thomas E. Reed was formally inducted and recorded by the Historical Society. The Historical Society’s induction documentation identifies the September 1, 1969 Reed family UFO incident as the subject of its formal historical recognition. Research assistance was provided by the International UFO Museum & Research Library, the City of Roswell, and Kessler Law Firm.
Sources: Historical Society induction letter dated February 6, 2015; Historical Society formal inventory process records from 2013–2015; Kessler Law Firm research correspondence; International UFO Museum & Research Library; City of Roswell records; related documentary and media records.

6. DOCUMENTARY RECORD OF NON-RESIDENCY AND COMMONWEALTH-INITIATED CONTACT
The documentary record establishes that Reed was residing in Tennessee during the relevant period. Reed did not initiate contact with the Governor’s office, did not speak with members of the Governor’s staff, and was not physically present in Boston during the 2013–2015 archival process or the issuance of the Governor’s citations. The supporting record includes:

The corrected November 3, 2015 citation bearing the Tennessee mailing address;
Governor’s office transmittal records;
United States Postal Service records;
Historical Society correspondence and induction records from 2013–2015;
Historical Society director’s records concerning the initiation of contact;
Commonwealth of Massachusetts records; and
Reed family residency records from 1976–2015.
These records document the circumstances under which the Commonwealth and Historical Society communicated with Reed during the archival process.

7. UNITED NATIONS SYMPOSIUM OCTOBER 2, 1992
On October 2, 1992, during a United Nations symposium, the Reed family incident was discussed alongside other cases in connection with General Assembly 33/426.
Attorney Robert Bletchman discussed the Reed family UFO incident during the presentation.
Dr. Howard Reed, Thomas E. Reed’s father, died shortly afterward, on the anniversary of the 1969 incident. Sources: Roswell Daily Record coverage; MUFON documentation; death certificate.

8. RECORD-BASED CORRECTION
The historical record concerning the September 1, 1969 Reed family incident should be distinguished from later statements or representations that are not supported by the archival documentation. The relevant record includes the 1969 Reed family encounter, the 2013–2015 Historical Society archival process, the February 6, 2015 formal induction, the Governor’s citations, and the associated documentary materials. Where a person’s name, role, or testimony is not contained within those records, that person should not be represented as having participated in the September 1, 1969 encounter or as having been included as a witness in the evidentiary record.

DOCUMENTARY RECORD
This statement is based upon the records and materials identified throughout this document. Each source should be independently reviewed against the specific factual statement for which it is cited.

Subject: September 1, 1969 Reed Family UFO Incident / “Berkshires UFO”
Historical Archival Period: 2013–2015
Formal Induction Date: February 6, 2015

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts carried out a formal inventory process from 2013-2015, including legal inquiries at the Roswell archives, and reached a determination of historical fact. This decision incorporated Thomas E. Reed into United States history as the solitary individual of record in the September 1, 1969 incident. The two Governor’s citations bearing a Tennessee mailing address provide documentary proof of non-residency and confirm the ministerial nature of the citations.Any contention to the contrary runs counter to the Commonwealth’s adjudicated findings. These are the facts. The documents speak for themselves.

See Wikipedia

Thom Reed sent Tom Warner’s name in response to Netflix's request for Historical Society facility contacts regarding Reed's official UFO archival induction process. Warner served strictly as an administrative facility contact not a UFO witness, as the Historical Society (GBHS) was fully aware he had zero knowledge of any UFO incident prior to 2014

Warner was a Historical Society volunteer who was present throughout the State’s nearly two-year archival process involving Mr. Reed and the event. Warner was not a physical witness to the 1969 UFO, as he and other staff members first learned of Thom Reed and his UFO encounter, aka the “Berkshires UFO,” in 2014 through that archival process. Note: Warner having the same first name has caused considerable confusion among the general public. Warner’s name was sent to Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries by Thom Reed himself. Reed mentioned Warner in an email to production in 2018, after Netflix requested the names of Historical Society staff members to interview about the Historical Society’s decision to induct Reed into the historical record. Debbie and Warner had the most knowledge of the Historical Society’s archival process, so Reed provided Unsolved Mysteries with the Historical Society’s telephone number and the name of the person who might answer the phone, Tom Warner. However his knowledge was limited to the historical materials documenting the event. Warner's connection to Unsolved Mysteries arose from his later custodial and archival role at the Historical Society and his access to the records documenting the Reed case, not from firsthand knowledge of the event itself.

Warner is not identified as a witness by any organization. His name does not appear in any Commonwealth document, on any Historical Society letterhead identifying witnesses, in any induction record, or state archive record. Warner's connection to Unsolved Mysteries arose from his archival role at the Historical Society and his access to the records documenting the Reed case, not from firsthand knowledge of any UFO event prior to 2014.

See email from Reed to Unsolved Mysteries dated: June 22nd 2018

Official Archive: the 1969 Berkshires UFO Incident

Thom Reed UFO Incident: Historical Record and Primary Source Archive