When writing the history of film in America, “Birth of a Nation” always comes up.
Based on the myth of African-Americans being either happy slaves or crazed rapists, it’s a disgrace to history. But it also was popular.
Less well known were the silent films produced with all-black casts that showed African-Americans as real people, not as negative stereotypes.
One of those film studios was located in Arlington, Norman Studios, where its existing buildings represent a national treasure, or more accurately a National Historic Landmark. The only other National Historic Landmark in Duval County is the Maple Leaf, the sunken Civil War vessel.
You need to be underwater to view the Maple Leaf. In contrast, Norman Studios still has enough facilities to make it a fascinating site for a museum.
Dedicated volunteers have kept Norman Studios alive, if only open on an invitation-only basis.
Mayor Lenny Curry included $1 million in the next fiscal year's budget to renovate the buildings so they can become a museum.
Executive Director Rita Reagan, a current citizen member of the Times-Union Editorial Board, has said that the building needs air conditioning, plumbing, a handicapped-accessible elevator and other upgrades.
The complex on Arlington Road was one of about 30 silent film studios in Jacksonville in the early 1900s, the winter film home of the film industry in New York and New Jersey.
Richard Norman, a white film producer, bought Eagle Studios in 1920 to make high quality films for black audiences.
The only complete Norman film remaining is “The Flying Ace, a World War I film inspired by stunt pilot Bessie Coleman. She tragically died in a plane crash in Jacksonville.
Norman was going to film Coleman’s air show but a day before the event the plane nosedived on the Westside.
Norman’s films showed black actors as businesspeople, doctors, family men and even railroad owners.
In granting Norman Studios the rare National Landmark status, the National Park Service mentioned its “exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.”
In fact, it’s the only surviving race film studio in the nation.
Jacksonville has a rich heritage involving African-Americans, a heritage that is now becoming more known and accepted in the broader community.
Norman Studios needs members, volunteers, donors and hosts for events.
The strategic plan includes a goal of making the site the “premier research and educational institution on race films and the early North Florida film industry.” It means creating a world class museum.
It means creating education programs on race films and Jacksonville’s silent film history.
It means building up a healthy nonprofit organization, which includes strong management, raising funds and receiving grants, purchasing nearby property, renovations and additions.
In the process, Norman Studios can become an anchor for a redeveloped Arlington.
Norman Studios is a big part of Jacksonville’s proud historic heritage.
It’s authentic. It’s real history. And it’s in Jacksonville.