UFO historical records to be archived in Rio Rancho school

Rio Rancho Public Schools and the National UFO Historical Records Center, a nonprofit organization, announced a partnership Tuesday aimed at preserving significant historical resources and fostering educational opportunities within the community.

The RRPS school board approved a memorandum of agreement at its Monday meeting that marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to combine the resources and expertise of both parties to benefit students, parents and the broader community of Rio Rancho and Sandoval County.

David Marler, the executive director of the National UFO Historical Record Center, has had a dream to create a first-of-its-kind public archive in Rio Rancho to display his vast collection of UFO data.

Marler is among the leading UFO historians and archivists in the world — and his collection is growing. His Rio Rancho home has dozens of four-drawer file cabinets with government documents, reports, case files, hundreds of thousands of news clippings and more than 1,500 books cataloged so far. There are also hundreds of historic audio recordings and museum-quality artifacts from the United States Air Force Project Blue Book.

“My colleagues and I have spent decades collecting original documentation and various materials,” Marler said. “A large percentage of this material are original and military government documents. This is not National Enquirer material we’re talking about. With this archive, we’d like to elevate the dialogue and also serve the public educational role, really trying to provide credible material to scientists in the general public.”

Enter RRPS.

The partnership between Marler and the district stems from a shared vision to protect historical resources and promote scientific fields of study in Rio Rancho.

The National UFO Historical Records Center, a custodian of a substantial collection of the nation’s historical documents related to UFO reports and investigations that include original (declassified) military reports, will work closely with RRPS to house and secure these invaluable documents within existing school facilities.

“This agreement represents a significant step in the preservation and education of our nation's UFO history,” Marler said. “We are proud to partner with Rio Rancho Public Schools to inspire the next generation of historians and scientists.”

The MOA runs for five years, with the option to extend, and licenses the center the use of two portable buildings of approximately 1,300 square feet each on the campus of Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.

RRPS will work with the center to provide innovative ways for students and parents to engage in educational opportunities that promote historical research, critical thinking and scientific investigation. This collaboration will offer students unique access to historical materials, fostering a deeper understanding of archival preservation, public display of historical documents, investigative procedures and ethical considerations related to such activities.

The National UFO Historical Records Center brings a wealth of educational programs designed to develop skills in archival preservation, public history and investigative research. By partnering with RRPS, these programs will be accessible to students and the community, creating a dynamic learning environment that encourages the exploration of historical and scientific subjects.

“We are excited to embark on this unique partnership with the National UFO Historical Records Center,” said Michael Baker, RRPS chief operations officer. “This collaboration will not only preserve important historical documents but also provide our students with exceptional educational experiences.”