Welcome to Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association's Web Site. 

We are the Penn-Jer-Del chapter of S.P.A.A.M.F.A.A. 

(SOCIETY for the PRESERVATION & APPRECIATION of ANTIQUE MOTOR FIRE APPARATUS in AMERICA)

CLAFAA was formed in January, 2008 as a charitable non-profit corporation with the purpose of being an educational and historical organization. We petitioned the executive board of SPAAMFAA to become a chapter. On February 20, 2008 that request was granted. In early 2011, we received our 501(c)(3) status from the IRS.

We are the Penn-Jer-Del chapter of SPAAMFAA. The chapter name reflects the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware; the three primary states from which we draw our membership. This does not mean that residents from other areas are excluded from membership. We have members from as far away as Florida. Our membership includes active and retired career and volunteer firefighters and officers, fire buffs, and business persons. A large percentage of our members own hand drawn and motorized apparatus although a person does not have to own an apparatus to join.

We have hosted our own annual muster since forming and have also participated in numerous other musters and parades. We are proud to have been Host to the 2013 and 2018 SPAAMFAA Summer National Conventions and Musters.  

About our Repaupo Fire Museum:

Admission to our Repaupo Fire Museum is free. Our Repaupo Fire Museum is open for members of the public to view antique fire and emergency apparatus, equipment and other artifacts. CLAFAA members continually participate in work sessions involving a variety of restoration, repair and maintenance projects. Visitors will also be able to view the projects in progress. Scheduled work sessions are posted on this website’s CLAFAA Calendar. Since the Repaupo Fire Museum was dedicated in May of 2016, apparatus and many historical artifacts have been donated for display. The members of the Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association appreciate your support of our Repaupo Fire Museum and our efforts to preserve the history of the fire and emergency services.

How our Repaupo Fire Museum came into existence:

On May 10, 2014, the Repaupo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company #1’s firehouse was decommissioned. In November, 2014, a group of CLAFAA members met with representatives of the fire company to discuss the future of the firehouse and its property. CLAFAA representatives were told that the Repaupo members would like to donate the firehouse, its property and Repaupo’s 1968 Chevrolet Brush truck to CLAFAA.

On March 8, 2015, CLAFAA held a special meeting at the Repaupo firehouse. President Keith Kemery gave a report outlining Repaupo's proposed donation of the firehouse, property and fire truck to CLAFAA. A question and answer period was held and the membership discussed the proposal at length. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously carried to move forward with CLAFAA’s acquisition of the firehouse, property and fire truck.

On June 25, 2015 representatives of CLAFAA and the Repaupo Fire and Rescue Company #1 met and signed the agreement to transfer ownership of the firehouse and brush truck from Repaupo to CLAFAA for $1.00 each.

In July of 2015 CLAFAA obtained insurance for the property. Rules and regulations were also developed and adopted for CLAFAA members to store and display antique apparatus within the large apparatus room of the building. The first apparatus was housed on or about July 12, 2015 and the recently disbanded Delaware Gardens Fire Company of Pennsauken, New Jersey donated memorabilia to be preserved and displayed within the Repaupo Fire Museum.

On August 3, 2015, the 1974 Seagrave Tractor Drawn Aerial used for the movie “LADDER 49” was housed at the Repaupo Fire Museum. Several grounds cleanup work details were also held at the firehouse in August, 2015.

On October 4, 2015 CLAFAA held its first regular membership meeting at the Repaupo Fire Museum with 34 members attending. A museum committee was formed and the committee met for the first time on October 11, 2015. Initial plans for the original apparatus room and second floor were discussed during the inaugural Museum Committee meeting. Several work details were also held on the museum premises during the month of October, 2015.

On Thursday, October 29 2015, a signed and executed Bargain and Sale Agreement for the property at 7 Repaupo Station Road was delivered to the offices of the Gloucester County Clerk and the Logan Township Assessor. A copy of the document was delivered to the Gloucester County Assessor’s Office on Friday October 30, 2015. CLAFAA NOW OWNED THE FIRE MUSEUM.

In November, 2015, CLAFAA members began regular work details to transform the former Repaupo Fire and Rescue Company #1 firehouse into the Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association’s Repaupo Fire Museum.

On Sunday, May 22 2016, we celebrated the dedication of the Repaupo Fire Museum with a parade and muster. The event was well attended by supporters, private apparatus owners and numerous fire and emergency service organizations.

Throughout the Fall of 2016, as well as the Winter and Spring of 2017, Saturday morning work details continued on the second floor and in other areas of the Repaupo Fire Museum.

On Sunday, May 21, 2017 we celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Repaupo Fire Museum’s second floor with a spring barbeque and mini muster. Just prior to the event, a special CLFAA membership meeting was held for the purpose of swearing the members of the Repaupo Fire and Rescue Company #1 in as honorary CLAFAA members.

Throughout the Fall of 2017 and this past Spring, Saturday morning work details focused on Repaupo’s large apparatus room. Partial interior walls were continued to the ceiling and given a fresh coat of paint. The apparatus floor was also coated with epoxy.

In addition to the renovations within the large apparatus room, CLAFAA’s apparatus fleet also increased by two. A 1965 Seagrave 1000 GPM pumper was donated to CLAFAA in the Fall of 2017. The apparatus was formerly owned and operated by the Riverside Fire Company of Burlington County, New Jersey. In the Spring of 2018, the Groveville Fire Company of Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey donated a 1957 Ward LaFrance 1000 GPM pumper to CLAFAA for display within our Repaupo Fire Museum.

Historical artifacts continue to be donated for display and are greatly appreciated as we continually strive to make our Repaupo Fire Museum the best that it can be.