Colonial Williamsburg has announced a $10 million gift from board member Forrest E. Mars, Jr. to fund construction of a new archaeological center, the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily reports.

To be named for former Colonial Williamsburg Foundation president and CEO Colin Campbell and his wife, Nancy, chairwoman emeritus of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the center will house the living-history museum's collection of more than sixty million artifacts, which currently is stored in a building on Botetourt Street six miles from Colonial Williamsburg itself. Plans for the new facility include viewing galleries that allow the public to see some of the archaeological work under way at the site; space for educational programming, classes, lectures, and workshops; and public tours. Construction is expected to begin later this year, after design and architectural work have been completed.

In addition to his latest gift, Mars, director emeritus of the confectionary company Mars Inc., has given more than $11 million to the foundation since 2007 for, among other things, reconstruction of the Charlton Coffeehouse, Anderson's Black Smith Shop & Public Armoury, and Market House.

"I can think of no better affirmation of Colonial Williamsburg's lasting significance than such diversity among its supporters," foundation president Mitchell Reiss said in a statement. "With that has come new ideas and fresh, sometimes challenging perspectives, and we are so much the better for it."