{"@context":"http://iiif.io/api/presentation/3/context.json","id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/iiif/736m040m1n/manifest","type":"Manifest","label":{"en":["Sydney Kemper Welsh interview and photographs, circa 1990"]},"logo":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/053/original/cropped-marmia-logo-copy1.png?1586173104","metadata":[{"label":{"en":["Source Metadata URI"]},"value":{"en":["https://marmia.libraryhost.com/repositories/2/archival_objects/25693"]}},{"label":{"en":["Date"]},"value":{"en":["circa 1990 (Creation)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Description"]},"value":{"en":["Be advised that this video may contain sensitive, triggering, and offensive language and content. (Content warning)","Digitized with funding provided by the Council on Library and Information Resources' \"Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives: Amplifying Unheard Voices\" grant program. (Funding note)","Sydney Welsh discusses his Baltimore-based company, Welsh Construction Remodeling Company. (Scope and Content Note)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Format"]},"value":{"en":["1 Betacam"]}},{"label":{"en":["Identifier"]},"value":{"en":["WJZ-FLDTP-005-007 (Identifier)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Series Title"]},"value":{"en":["Field Tapes"]}}],"summary":{"en":["Be advised that this video may contain sensitive, triggering, and offensive language and content.","Digitized with funding provided by the Council on Library and Information Resources' \"Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives: Amplifying Unheard Voices\" grant program.","Sydney Welsh discusses his Baltimore-based company, Welsh Construction Remodeling Company."]},"provider":[{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/aboutus","type":"Agent","label":{"en":["MARMIA"]},"homepage":[{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/","type":"Text","label":{"en":["MARMIA"]},"format":"text/html"}],"logo":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/053/original/cropped-marmia-logo-copy1.png?1586173104","type":"Image"}]}],"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/253/858/small/thumbnail_253858_1728337409.jpg?1728337410","type":"Image","format":"image/jpeg"}],"items":[{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858","type":"Canvas","label":{"en":["Media File 1 of 1 - open-uri20250109-552-67xczr.mp4"]},"duration":1165.437,"width":640,"height":360,"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/253/858/small/thumbnail_253858_1728337409.jpg?1728337410","type":"Image","format":"image/jpeg"}],"items":[{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/content/1","type":"AnnotationPage","items":[{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/content/1/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"painting","body":{"id":"https://aviary-p-marmia.s3.wasabisys.com/collection_resource_files/resource_files/000/253/858/original/open-uri20250109-552-67xczr.mp4?1736436487","type":"Video","format":"video/mp4","duration":1165.437,"width":640,"height":360},"target":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858","metadata":[]}]}],"annotations":[{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677","type":"AnnotationPage","label":{"en":["AUTO_TRINT_WJZ-FLDTP-005-007.mp4 [Transcript]"]},"items":[{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"right. Right. Now, first off, let me have your your name. Pronounce your name for me, Sidney Kemper. And that's Katie and PR. And this is Welsh. Welsh, Welsh Construction Remodeling Company. And you folks have been in business for quite a while. Yes, we have. For the Welsh name has been around for over 85 years and we've been remodeling since 1961. You've. Welsh has also built a lot of homes into what this certainly did, built over 40,000 homes in the world. Right. So when we talk about Welsh playing a role in the building of Baltimore, you literally that's exactly what we're talking about, building and rebuilding. So now that company is. Is the emphasis on remodeling now? Yes, definitely. So you don't build new homes like nice work? No. And this is a division from the original Welsh Construction Company. Separate division. Part of what makes television profitable is and possible are the people who advertise on television. And you all been advertising on Channel 13? Since when do you recall? We went on Channel 13, I think it was in the early 70s. We had our first ads on Channel 13. Do you remember what they were? The ads we had the advertised bathrooms and family rooms and kitchens. And of course, you've been advertising in the newspaper since as far back as I can remember, correct. When we first opened our doors, we started with the advertising in the newspapers. At that time, it was also the news post which changed to the news American and of course, the Baltimore Sun. And what about yourself? Are you a Baltimore boy? Born and bred? Where I grew up in the northwest section, right above Glens Falls Parkway on what was Morris Avenue and change its name to would protest near drew to park and you were of course raised and educated in this area? Yes.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858#t=9.8,162.38"},{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677/annotation/2","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Graduated from City College in 1940. And when did you begin with the Welsh? I actually began with Welsh in 1961. We had our own business prior to that, known as Kemper Contracting Company. So you had been with Welch Remodeling then since its start? Yeah, we started it, my brother and myself. And you moved from a small facility on Erdman Avenue. We were in corner of Vermont and Edison from 61 to 83, and we've been here at 39 and one East Monument now since July of 1983. We expanded into doing much more commercial work and needing a larger facility to handle both phases of the work we were doing. You've done some work for some famous people. Johnny Unitas, correct? I was back in the 60s. And even Channel 13. Channel 13, Correct. Did we wish we did a job there? Just quite recently? A few weeks ago. But you also put a wall and some ceilings in back in. What would that be? The 70s, right, in one of their studios. Just recently, you were on over the weekend. You were on the telephone. Cerebral palsy. Telephone. Right. And Welsh is Welsh Remodeling is a one of their sponsors. We have now been a sponsor for about the corporate sponsor for about the last four years. But myself, I've been involved with the Tels through the Maryland Improvement Contractors Association with about 15 years. So certainly what what Welsh does with the remodeling is kind of a now and then of its own I think. So it's a name that's fairly well known around the city recognized and as Richard Share said Sunday, we've made a lot of people happy with either their home, Welsh homes or the remodeling work we've done since then. So let's just touch on one more minute about the about the the number of homes that Welsh built, because that that's an important part of the history of this company is the tremendous influence they had on communities and neighborhoods in town.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858#t=163.16,326.21"},{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677/annotation/3","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"You you said before, how many homes do you think Welsh built? Over 40,000. What areas? Like Raven. Like Raven Boulevard, Dundalk, Yale Heights. Just about the years ago, when he first started, he looked up the Ash Burton area of Sequoia Avenue, Yosemite Avenue. Now, this. The vision, of course, is a separate division from the original construction company, was a separate company formed in 1961. But we still do a lot of work for the old Welsh homeowners, as we call people that are living in Welsh homes. And we've really capitalized on the fine reputation of Welsh construction had over the many, many years who started the Welsh construction company was started by, as far as I know, is the Mark families, the Welsh Construction company, the original Welsh construction company. And there was an E from more than a Morten Mark. And then of course, it passed through to the son of Morten Mark. Mark. You know where. The Welsh. Do you know where they got that name from? Yes. It's a funny story. Welsh actually was a superintendent for one of their projects that they were building, and when they started, they were looking for a good Catholic name and they used Welsh. So all those 40,000 plus homes that Welsh built over at the beginning, you now have been back to remodel some of the ones that were built originally? That's correct. We certainly have. How does that make you feel? It's great because you have a lot of people, surprisingly enough, are still living. The original homebuyers are still living in Welsh homes. And it was a fine home well built because they were selling all for about $7,950 in those days. But yes, it does feel good when someone calls and say they're living in a Welsh built home.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858#t=327.8,479.67"},{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677/annotation/4","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"But what kind of impact do you think that the Welsh company has had on on the area over the years, both in the construction and now in the remodel? I mean it. Connect the company with the people that you've served the customers well. The way I can connect, I guess best is the fact that over 50% of our business happens to be repeat customers or recommendations from people that we've worked for. And we have people now that we put into kitchens. 20 years ago, we're calling for remakes redoing other parts of their homes or bathrooms or whatever it might be. And I think the fact that they feel very secure and an old name such as ours has been around for many years and they know we're going to be here for many, many more, has an impact and hopefully will continue to build on that. And it's a very tough business. The remodeling business, as you might well know, and there are many companies in and out of this business over the years. The success rate is not too high. And we take pride in the fact that we have been named the remodel of the year for eight years in a row, and that we want awards as far back as the 60s. And we enjoy a good reputation, which only comes from hard work. We're very, very capable people working here at Wells. Our sales manager will be entering he will be coming into his 27th year with the company. So the people that work here tend to stay here? Yes. We take pride in the fact that that does happen. We've had carpenters who have retired and were here that long that they retired. Let me ask you this. What's next? What's next? Any time about me personally or personally in the business, we'll talk about the company first.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858#t=481.08,617.86"},{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677/annotation/5","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Well, let's talk about you. What's next percent? Well, right now, I am slowing down to the fact that I do take quite a few trips of very capable people, you know, working for me. And hopefully something will be worked out that the Welsh name will continue and my employees will continue with the company. But you're slowing down and doing things like you did over the weekend. Right. I'm trying to become more involved in the community. I'm active with some charity work and I also do quite a bit of traveling. So no signs of retirement now for Sidney? No. No, not really. Just slowing down, delegating more of my work to others. And it's been taking place for the last few years. And no slowing down of Welsh? No, not at all. Hopefully expansion? No, we we do also another phase of the remodeling business. We're very active in insurance related work. We do fire restorations. This past weekend, that fire that was down in Glen Burnie. Our people were down there up to 4:00 in the morning, helped secure and taken care of the properties that were damaged there. Now with fire was that it was a fire on the apartments in Glen Burnie over the weekend. I think I saw the pictures on Channel 13 News this past week. Yes. And let me ask you this finally, what role do you think? Welsh has had with TV and and the opposite. What role do you think TV has had with Welsh? Well, you know, TV we've used and we find surprisingly enough, when we do or we do radio, we do newspaper, we do some direct mail and we do TV. And our records prove that when we're on TV, it actually enhances our other advertising.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858#t=618.19,750.71"},{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677/annotation/6","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"The leads pick up on our newspaper ads and on our radio. If we're simultaneously on TV. It's a surprising statistic, but it works. I mean, it has proven itself. So what you're saying then is that TV has been good to Welsh? I would say so, yes. TV I back in the 70s was really took us out of our status that we were in when we were just doing newspaper. And once we went on TV, it like opened up the barriers and we as a result of it, we increased our advertising budget. And TV definitely has proven itself for advertising. So, so. Well, she's been good for television with her with the revenue that we're getting from you all. And and and in turn, television has been great to Welsh. I would say that's a correct statement. And and for sure, as long as both exist. And that relationship will continue to it makes to makes it so worthwhile and important that one helps. The other is what it amounts to. You need us and we need you. And make a partnership is what we're looking for. The people at the Channel 13 were in here to see us last week, and we're very impressed with the representatives that did call on us. And we have a good feeling about what we're going to be doing, hopefully a lot more than we even did in the past. It's very difficult in this down economy. One of the first things you think about in cutting is advertising, whereas to be honest with you, you probably need more advertising. So it's a difficult decision where to make your dollars work best for you. And we think this new program that we're entering into with you all should hopefully spring is force, you know, to bigger and better things.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858#t=752.15,897.17"},{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677/annotation/7","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"We're looking forward to it. And that program is now and then. The. They often go. Not on their. You can. Okay. All right. And can earn a living at it. That's it. That's the key. You know, being good at something and being able to earn a living at it. You. 640, just to be sure. 6140. At the day I had the raw partner did a few segments on him, as a matter of fact, and I thought that was really nice. But. But Ralph was he's back and that he was away for a while and he's back in town. Fred is a champion. I think after about eight weeks without Herndon, it's in the word now. That was the name of the show. Yeah, I guess. Yeah. We have pictures of. We took pictures of her. Doing more before and after the weather. I think this will do it.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858#t=898.1,1156.09"}]},{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677","type":"AnnotationPage","label":{"en":["English [Transcript]"]},"items":[{"id":"https://marmia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/948/collection_resources/136846/file/253858/transcript/71677/annotation/8","type":"Annotation","motivation":"subtitling","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/file_transcripts/associated_files/000/071/677/original/trint_WJZ-FLDTP-005-007_transcript.vtt?1728353294","format":"text/vtt","language":"en"},"target":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/file_transcripts/associated_files/000/071/677/original/trint_WJZ-FLDTP-005-007_transcript.vtt?1728353294"}]}]}]}