Thom Reed’s U.F.O. Encounters

Thom Reed is a very excitable man. He contradicted my perceptions of what a person with his background acts like. He has embraced his lot in life and has lots to share. It was a pleasure speaking with him.

Thom’s story began in 1969 when he was 6 years old. Thom and his family experienced a lot—A LOT—of extraterrestrial encounters. Articles, testimony, and eye witness reports support Thom’s story. On February 6, 2015, the Great Barrington Historical Society and Museum (MA) officially declared the events as “historically significant.” A permanent exhibit detailing the “off world” experience opens this fall. Please visit Thom’s website for more information: http://www.tomreed.info/home.html.

I’m drawn to this case because of the amount of evidence collected and proffered. Museum staff members are compiling all of the documents for an exhibit. Equally interesting: The records will be housed in a historical society and not a Ufology-themed museum. This act alone helps bring the discussion of alien life into the mainstream. I’m curious to see how the society creates an installation. Will it be kitsch? Sensationalized? Or will the exhibit balance the case with acceptable historical standards?

In a recent Huff/YouGov poll (2013), 50% of Americans believe that alien life exists. Further, 25% believe that aliens have visited Earth. College graduates are more likely to believe in extraterrestrial life. Another survey from National Geographic reported higher numbers (http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/06/28/most-americans-believe-government-keeps-ufo-secrets-survey-finds).

Americans believe in the possibility of alien life. The debate focuses on whether or not the aliens’ intentions are hostile.