A group called Old Arlington honored Councilman Lake Ray Thursday for the role he played in encouraging the city to purchase several buildings that were part of Norman Film Studios on Arlington Road.

After a campaign spearheaded by Arlington resident Ann Burt, the city this year purchased four of the five buildings that made up the studio. The fifth building is owned by a church. Residents intend to restore the buildings and turn the site into a museum.

Film producer Richard E. Norman used black crews to make films with black casts for black audiences. In an era when most films portrayed blacks using negative stereotypes, Norman's films featured blacks starring as pilots or cowboys.

"The studio is a very significant part of history, and we're thankful for the role Ann Burt and Councilman Ray played in securing Better Jacksonville Plan money to preserve the area," Newey said.

An exhibit at the Museum of Science and History on the Southbank tells the story of Norman Film Studios and features studio artifacts and photographs.