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Albert Small Gives GWU $5M, D.C. History Collection

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A prominent real estate developer is donating his extensive collection on the history of Washington to George Washington University where it will become part of a new museum.

The gift by Albert H. Small of Bethesda, Md., announced Monday includes a $5 million donation to build a new museum on the campus and renovate the 156-year-old Woodhull House.

Small's collection includes rare maps, drawings, books, letters and documents. It was amassed over 50 years.

Chris Coover of Christie's auction house says Small's holdings are the most significant privately held collection about the history of Washington.

The new museum will include a new Center for National Capital Area Studies named for Small. A gallery at the Smithsonian also is named in his honor.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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