In the summer of 1947, during a severe thunderstorm, something happened in Roswell, New Mexico. A UFO supposedly crashed northwest of the town. Just exactly what crashed has been raising controversy every since. The United States military maintains that what was actually recovered was debris from an experimental high-altitude surveillance balloon belonging to a classified program named Project Mogul; however, many people believe that an alien craft crashed and bodies were recovered, and that the military then engaged in a cover-up.

So controversial has the topic become, that Roswell, New Mexico, has established a museum dedicated to the preservation and research of extraterrestrial visitors — a fun and unique destination in the Southwest!

In early 1990, the idea of a home for information on the Roswell Incident and other UFO phenomena was fostered by former Army Lieutenant Walter Haut, one of the witnesses stationed at the military base during the incident. He got together with another Roswell participant Glenn Dennis and the two sought a home for the UFO Museum, which brought them to the first location for the museum. The museum is planning to relocate into a larger building just down the road and is currently accepting donations for this, new modern facility.

Little did the two men know just how popular the museum was to become. The mission of the museum was and continues to be the education of the general public to all aspects of the UFO phenomena. People from around the world travel to Roswell to see what the Museum has to offer and to simply “be in Roswell where it happened.” The exhibits include information on Roswell, crop circles, sightings, Area 51, ancient astronauts and abductions. The exhibits are designed to not try to convince anyone to believe one way or another. Visitors are simply encouraged to ask questions. Many visitors come numerous times and some even spend days if not weeks doing research in the library.

The museum boasts an unusual gift shop with everything from stuffed aliens toys to books, jewelry to artwork. You can even find an Alien Cookbook (one presumes this isn’t a guide to cooking aliens) whose recipes were submitted by museum staff members.

Every year, around the first or second weekend in July, the museum hosts the “Roswalien Experience” — a conference where experts in all things alien gather. Guest authors will be on hand to sign books on a variety topic, and visitors can also enjoy lectures on topics that include the Roswell Incident, crop circles, and alien abduction. Vendors gather to sell food and souvenirs, and guests can stay to enjoy the nightly dances under the tent.

Admission to the International UFO Museum & Research Center is $5 for adults, $3 for children 5 -15, and $3 for senior or military personnel with appropriate ID.

Nearby attractions include:

• Living Desert Gardens Zoo and State Park
• Almagordo Space Museum
• Bitterlake National Wildlife Refuge
• White Sands National Monument
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park

International UFO Museum & Research Center
114 North Main Street
Roswell, New Mexico 88203
1-800-822-3545