Long before mainstream Hollywood began telling diverse stories, Jacksonville’s own Norman Studios was making history—serving as a hub for what were known as “race films.”

Located in the city’s Old Arlington neighborhood, Norman Studios now operates as a historical film museum, preserving the legacy of a pioneering era in American cinema.

“It’s also a forgotten part of history,” said Barbara Wingo, president of the Norman Studios Film Museum.

Founded more than a century ago by filmmaker Richard Norman, the studio helped reshape how Black actors were portrayed on screen. At a time when African Americans were often stereotyped or excluded from leading roles, Norman cast them as heroes, professionals, and central characters.

One of his most notable works, The Flying Ace, tells the story of

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