Buffalo and Western New York are getting ready to celebrate the centenary of the 1901 Pan American Exposition with a series of special events and tie-ins with the University of Buffalo, Erie County Historical Society and other cultural institutions.

The original Exposition opened May 1, 1901 on a 342-acre site that is now part of Delaware Park. Only a single building, the home of the Erie County Historical Society, still remains on the site.

Eight million visitors toured the fair which featured African, Eskimo and Mexican villages, displays mounted by different states and buildings presenting cultural exhibits from South and Central America.

The fair also featured the latest in technological advances, including electricity. The famed Electric Tower illuminated the night sky at a time, when for most, electric lights were still a novelty.

Sadly, the 1901 Exposition may be best remembered because of the assassination there on September 6 of President William McKinley. He was mortally wounded by a gunman while touring the grounds. He died eight days later in a private home in Buffalo. Some fascinating eye-witness accounts by doctors and bystanders can be viewed by logging on to: http://ubpanam.buffalo.edu/assassination.html and http://ubpanam.buffalo.edu/medical/detailsreport./detailsstart.pdf. Vice President Theodore Roosevelet was sworn in as president in Buffalo on September 14.

Among the events scheduled to mark the 100th anniversary of Pan-Am Expo are an exhibit of artifacts and photographs from the original exposition, including some rare film footage taken by Thomas Edison. The exhibit opens in May at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society. For more information visit http://intotem.buffnet.net/bechs/

Later in May, The Pan-American Women's Leadership Conference (http://www.womenspavilion2001.org/) presents a three-day international symposium "promoting a new, enriched relationship between women throughout the Americas, translating into future exchanges, economic initiatives, and improved relations among citizens and institutions."

International keynote speakers will make presentations on the three major themes of the conference: Women in Political Leadership and Decision-Making Positions; Economic Empowerment for Women; and Women's Health and Well-Being Through the Lifespan.

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, an impressive building near the 1901 Expo site, is mounting a major exhibit of period French painting titled "Circa 1900: Journey from the Genteel Tradition to the Jazz Age. Works by Picasso, Gauguin, Matisse, Monet and Renior will be shown. It opens May 6. For further information visit: http://www.albrightknox.org/

In September, a weekend symposium is scheduled marking the centennial of Theodore Roosevelt's inauguration following the death of President McKinley. It's called, "The Big Stick and the Square Deal: The Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt." Over three days, September 14-16, the symposium will present several outstanding historians. Among them are Stephen Ambrose, Douglas Brinkley, James McGregor Burns and Edmund Morris. For more information visit http://www.panam2001.buffalo.edu/culture/mus trnhs.html.

Other activities are scheduled around the Buffalo area. For more information, consult the main Web site at: www.panam2001.buffalo.edu or call 645-2711.