| The Belfry Club | |
| School: | Germantown Academy |
| Formation: | 1894 |
| Founders: | J. Warner Johnson, Frank Palmer |
| Director: | K. Richardson |
| Location: | Fort Washington, Pennsylvania |
The Belfry Club founded as the Germantown Academy Dramatics Society was founded in 1894 by Germantown Academy student, J. Warner Johnson, a member of the class of 1895. The club is the oldest (or one of the oldest) high school dramatic societies in the United States of America and has produced at least one show per school year since its founding in 1894.
In 1894, J. Warner Johnson, a student at Germantown Academy then located in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a few of his schoolmates formed a dramatic society with the intention to appreciate the performing arts before their college years. Drama clubs like the University of Pennsylvania's Mask and Wig were established already and popular among college students of the late 19th century. The group, led by Johnson brought the idea to Germantown Academy alumnus Frank Palmer, an 1885 GA alumnus who then led the society for another fifteen years. The first production was of the comedy/drama Married Life held at the Workingmen's Club Hall on nearby Chelten Avenue in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Admission was $1 and 50 cents for seats in the upper gallery. The play was given to raise money for the GA Athletic Association and sold out. After the success of the first year, the students continued the tradition that lasts today.
In 1895, the name of the society was changed to The Belfry Club in honor of the notable Germantown Academy symbol of the Belfry that sits atop the schoolhouse. After a few years, the play grew into a focal point of the school year as it was given the night before the Germantown Academy, Penn Charter football game and was then followed by a dance with surrounding girls' schools.