West Grove & Avondale Host Antique Fire Apparatus Association
WGFC's Antique 22, also known as Elsie, sits beside Hockessin Engine 19-2 during a visit by the Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association at Station 23.
Members of the association pose with the apparatus after their meeting.
June 15, 2026
The Avondale station played host to the Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association on Sunday, with WGFC's Antique 22 as a special guest.
The Association is affiliated with the Society for the Preservation & Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America as its Penn-Jer-Del Chapter, with local chapter covering southern New Jersey, Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania. The local chapter is an active group of first responders who share their interest in antique apparatus and maintain a fire museum in Repaupo, New Jersey.
As a part of hosting the meeting, the organization bestowed a membership to Southern Chester County Fire Rescue (the new organization that is being formed out of the merger of West Grove and Avondale). At the meeting, the participants discussed an antique fire apparatus display planned for the Kennett Square Mushroom Festival on September 12 and looked ahead to a celebration of the 100th birthday of WGFC's "Elsie," our beloved 1928 Hale.
