Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A north Florida movie studio that produced silent-era films catering to an African-American audience has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner on Monday said that Norman Film Studios in Jacksonville has been given the honor.
The studio is now owned by the city of Jacksonville, which is working to partially restore the studio.
The studio's late owner, Richard Norman, was among the first filmmakers to produce movies that catered to African-Americans in the 1920s.
The silent-era movies often starred African-American actors in positive, professional film roles, such as lawyers and pilots.
The National Historic Landmarks program honors places that are nationally significant or historic.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.