Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville, 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 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 owner, Richard Norman, was among the first film makers to produce movies that catered to African-Americans in the 1920s.

The silenera movies often starred African-American actors in positive, professional film roles, such as lawyers and pilots. The National Historic Landmarks pro- gram honors places that are nationally significant or historic.