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Legislator Wolfe: Geoff Welch’s Many Contributions Will Never Be Forgotten

Conservationist, Historian, Musician, Photographer Made A Difference For 40+ Years

The contributions of longtime Ramapo resident Geoff Welch number so high, that they can never be forgotten, Rockland County Legislature Majority Leader Alden H. Wolfe said.

“He may have grown up in New York City, but there is no doubt that Geoff Welch embraced every part of Sloatsburg and the Torne Valley, working for years to preserve and promote its history and to conserve its waterways and woods,” Legislator Wolfe said. “His efforts will reverberate throughout the years ahead and serve as heartfelt gifts to generations coming of age today and in the future.”

For many decades, Welch served as the unofficial keeper of the Ramapo River, organizing a well-attended annual river watershed conference. The event came at a time when Rockland was gaining a greater understanding of the watershed’s importance as a source of drinking water for county residents, and of habitat for aquatic and wild life.

“Geoff saw the area for the special place that it is and he incorporated art and history not only into the conference, but also into his talks about the area and into his environmental and conservation efforts,” Legislator Wolfe said.

Welch was among those who scrutinized plans for the closing of the former Ramapo landfill, which was listed as a Superfund site, to ensure the nearby aquifer and wells were protected. He also played a strong role in the successful fight to block construction of two natural gas-fired power plants along the Torne Brook. He was part of the decade-long effort to get 15,000 acres in Sterling Forest - part of the Ramapo River Watershed - protected, with the property and an additional 6,000 acres becoming a state park in 1998.

Welch also became the devoted curator of Harmony Hall, where he oversaw its ongoing restoration, and often organized concerts and other gatherings to bring the community together and to promote visitation and support of the project. The historic building was built by Jacob Sloat and listed on the State and National Registry of Historic Places in 2006, due to the efforts of Welch and other local history lovers.

“Geoff’s vision extended beyond the peeling paint and rotting wood. He could see the home as though it were back in its heyday and was able to get others excited about restoring the structure,” Legislator Wolfe said.

Welch often put his musical talents on the electric keyboard to work entertaining Harmony Hall guests during lectures and other programs, like the “socials’ he helped organize. He put his photographic skills to use capturing beautiful shots of the Torne Valley and adjacent Harriman State Park. He connected past and present by locating images of old postcards and historic paintings of Sloatsburg, the Ramapo River and other nearby places – some by famed painter Jasper Cropsey - and sharing them with wider audiences. He almost always had a cat by his side when he was at home.

“To Geoff, it was all connected, nature, art, and history - and people were always at the center of it all,” Legislator Wolfe said. “On behalf of myself and my colleagues on the Legislature, I extend our sincerest condolences to all who cared about Geoff, who was always a good friend to so many.” 

 Geoff Welch, Conservationist, Historian, Musician & Photographer Made A Difference For 40+ Years

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