From the time President George Bush named me to the board of directors of the Panama Canal Commission, I have been a collector of books, memorabilia, photographs, maps and documents relating to the canal. Much of what I have collected has been donated to my alma mater, Adelphi University in Garden City. The Swirbul Library of Adelphi University will put many of the items on display. Opening on Dec. 7 and running to Jan. 21; "The End of An Era: The Transfer of the Panama Canal" will display a range of items from the failed French effort to build a canal to current canal operations.

Over the years, I came across some 100 historical books relating to the canal. One of them, authored by Phillipe Bunau Varilla, contains a 10 line inscription relating to the canal's construction. Bunau Varilla was the man most responsible for the canal in Panama. The Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty was executed a few days after Panamanian rebels overthrew Colombia with the aid of the U.S. Navy on orders from President Theodore Roosevelt. The exhibit also includes a document signed by President Roosevelt as he appointed a New Yorker to the first Isthmian Commission in 1904.

Going back to the failed French effort to build a canal, financial bonds used to raise money in the effort are also on display. They are accompanied by an 1883 illustration of the corruption trial in Paris for those responsible for the bankruptcy of the French Canal Company.

Another interesting set of documents includes correspondence I had with Panamanian Dictator Manuel Noriega about his dealings with the Japanese and the source of some of his millions of dollars.

From an artistic viewpoint, there are two original Joseph Pennell lithographs depicting the massive canal construction. In addition there is an oil painting by a Panamanian artist, of a small freighter in the Gaillard Cut. The exhibit also includes a number of photographs of ships in the canal and various shots of canal operations.

Medals carried in the first ship to transit the canal in 1914 will be shown along with toy puzzles manufactured in 1908. The puzzles allow for the transfer of ball bearings or drops of mercury from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean through a maze of twists, turns and sets of locks.

With the international ceremonies scheduled for Dec. 14 in Panama, the exhibit will be timely and interesting. Let me extend my appreciation to Dean Eugene Neely of the Swirbul Library and Don Mistretta of the Sea Cliff Gallery. Mr. Mistretta is the guest curator for the exhibition.

If you would like to see this collection, please call 877-3572 to obtain hours for the Swirbul Library. It was fun for me to collect all of the items over the last 10 years, and I hope you enjoy your participation in "The End of an Era."