The Classic Car Show at the Matthews Bridge 60th Anniversary Celebration held at the Norman Studios property in April, 2014.
The Norman Studios and Old Arlington, Inc. will be honored with the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission’s 2014 Historic Preservation Project Award tonight at 6pm at a ceremony at the Main Library Auditorium Downtown.
The award in the Heritage Education – Events category recognizes the two organization’s amazing collaboration on the Matthews Bridge 60th Anniversary Celebration held on the Norman Studios property April 13. Hundreds turned out for morning rededication ceremony held at eastern foot of the bridge, then a day of music, dancing, great food, classic car and art shows and tours of the Norman Studios, Jacksonville’s only surviving studio complex from its silent film heyday.
The Mathews Bridged opened in 1953 and is named for John E. Mathews, a Florida state legislator and Chief Justice of the 1955 Florida Supreme Court who helped secure funding for the bridge’s construction. Originally silver in color, the bridge was painted maroon in 1984 in celebration of Jacksonville’s United States Football League franchise, the Jacksonville Bulls.
The Norman Studios and Old Arlington, Inc. thank the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission and all those who celebrated with us in April. And we congratulate the other 22 winners honored in nine categories. We are truly in great company! See a list of all the winners here.