Sheffield in Berkshire County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Off-World Incident
Photographed by Thomas Reed
1. Off-World Incident Marker
This plaque was previously mounted on the white pedestal.
Thomas E. Reed
Governor
Karyn E. Polito
Lieutenant Governor
Erected 2015.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is September 1, 1969.
Location. 42° 7.45′ N, 73° 21.249′ W. Marker is in Sheffield, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County. It can be reached from Covered Bridge Lane near South Main Street (U.S. 7), on the left when traveling east. Located near the Sheffield
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Berkshires. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Reconstruction of 1854 Covered Bridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Legion Post 340 Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Barnard Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); World War II Memorial Trees (approx. 0.8 miles away); Sheffield World War I Monument (approx. 0.8 miles away); Sheffield World War II Monument (approx. 0.8 miles away); Cast Steel Bell (approx. 0.9 miles away); Elizabeth Freeman (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sheffield.
Regarding Off-World Incident.
Thomas Reed, named on the marker, was riding in a station wagon with family over the
Jennifer Huberdeau, via Up Country Magazine, August 18, 2020
2. The Thom Reed UFO Monument Park
Located on land adjacent to the site where the Reed family encountered a UFO in 1969, it has become a destination for those interested in UFOlogy.
Marker can be seen to right of the round UFO sign, just underneath the trees.
Click for more information.
Marker can be seen to right of the round UFO sign, just underneath the trees.
Click for more information.
"Now, we do remember being in what looked like an airplane hanger," he said. "We didn't stay in the car. We were removed from the vehicle, that's true. Where we were, I don't know."
The next thing he knew, he was back in the station wagon, but his mother and grandmother had switched spots and more than two hours had gone by.
The event was reported on by WSBS radio as 40 people from surrounding towns called in with their accounts of witnessing strange lights that night.
The marker and the white concrete pedestal were removed in 2019 due to controversary over its placement. All has been resolved and the Thom Reed UFO Monument Park was created and the marker reinstalled. The park is dedicated to Thom’s late father, Howard W. Reed, Ph.D.
The 1969 incident has been recognized by the International UFO Museum and Research Center
Photographed by Michael Herrick, December 6, 2018
3. Off-World Incident Marker
The original marker.
Additional commentary.
1. Historic marker should not be removed
It is an important part of local history as well as US UFO history and should be allowed to be placed where the incident occurred. It seems odd that people are opposed to it as if they want to erase this from events that occurred in the town’s past. This historical marker should be allowed to be located at or very close to where the event occurred.
— Submitted June 7, 2019, by Fred Deitz of Gainesville, Virginia.
Photographed by Michael Herrick, December 6, 2018
4. Off-World Incident Marker
The Sheffield Covered Bridge is in the background.
Photographed by ABC News 10, Albany, NY, May 23, 2019
5. Thom Reed UFO Monument Park
Park website homepage:
The 1st UFO case officially inducted into the U.S. as "historically true". More information and videos regarding the incident.
Click for more information.
The 1st UFO case officially inducted into the U.S. as "historically true". More information and videos regarding the incident.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 2,198 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 19, 2021, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 2. submitted on June 8, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on December 6, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 5. submitted on February 6, 2021, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
