Norman Studios

Norman Studios is a film production complex in Arlington featuring four white buildings with brown trim that reflect early 20th century construction practices. The site contains workshops, offices, and production spaces that show how movies were made during the silent film era.

The studio opened in 1920 and operated through 1928 when Jacksonville was a thriving center for film production. It closed as the industry shifted and new technology prompted studios to relocate to other cities.

The studio gave Black filmmakers a rare space to tell their own stories for Black audiences, creating films where African-American characters led the action. Walking through the site today, you sense how this place represented creative control and artistic freedom during a time when such opportunities were scarce.

The complex operates as a museum accessible through guided tours that must be reserved in advance to visit the preserved buildings. Allow time for your visit to explore the spaces and ask questions about how films were produced during this period.

Only one film from the studio's original production survives today, The Flying Ace, which has been preserved by the Library of Congress. This single movie offers a rare glimpse into the creative work that took place here, as most other films from this period have been lost.