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The connection between residents of one of Chatham’s oldest neighbourhoods is featured in photo exhibit.
Published Mar 11, 2026 • 2 minute read
Tecumseh neighbourhood residents Susan Simpson and Clark Schultz are seen with one of the candid photos that is part of the Where Love Resides: The Tecumseh Park Neighbourhood photo exhibit on display at Crow City Coffee in Chatham. (Ellwood Shreve/Chatham Daily News)Article content
In a day and age where many people don’t know who is living beside them, the connection between residents of one of Chatham’s oldest neighbourhoods is featured in photo exhibit.
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Where Love Resides: The Tecumseh Park Neighbourhood exhibit is on display at Crow City Coffee in Chatham and will be set up in other locations in the future.
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Susan Simpson was the driving force behind the exhibit after seeing photos taken during the years by her neighbour, Steve Obalek, and her daughter, Martha Franks, of what inspired them while walking around the neighbourhood.
“These are really wonderful images and I really think they need to be shared with all of us,” she said of coming up with the idea for the exhibit.
Simpson said themes emerged as she looked through the photos, including parents with children, which shows a tenderness and connection.
There is also a porches and steps theme featuring candid shots of people relaxing on their front porches. Another theme is the numerous images captured during the fall festivals the neighbourhood holds.
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Photographer and Tecumseh Park neighbourhood resident Steve Obalek contributed numerous photos to the Where Love Resides: The Tecumseh Park Neighbourhood photo exhibit on display at the Crow City Coffee in Chatham. (Ellwood Shreve/Chatham Daily News)
Simpson said there are photos featuring members of the Muslim community who lives in the neighbourhood. Having learned this community is very particular about photographs, she said, “We feel honoured that they made an exception for us.”
Obalek said he sees every human as an interesting subject.
“The wonder of humanity is everywhere and if these photos and this exhibit send that message to one or two people, it’ll bring out more humanity,” he said.
“Pictures of people attract people,” he said.
Obalek also likes that it is an exhibit of black and white photos.
“There’s timelessness to black and white photos,” he said. “There is a certain mystery and it leaves more to the imagination.”
Tecumseh Park neighbourhood resident Clark Schultz said, “Black and white just speaks more to emotion.”
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The issues surrounding a temporary homeless shelter, previously located in a former school, brought the Tecumseh Park neighbourhood closer together and made it more resilient, said Simpson.
She hopes those who see the exhibit recognize “our community is one that has history and it has strong connections.”
This collage of photos is part of the Where Love Resides: Tecumseh Park Neighbourhood photo exhibit now on display at Crow City Coffee in Chatham. (Ellwood Shreve/Chatham Daily News)
Noting the neighbourhood chose compassion over indifference and repeatedly called for help and were engaged with supporting the unhoused facing emergency crisis situations, Simpson said, “I hope they recognize that we are compassionate, kind and caring.”
Schultz said, “I hope that looking at this exhibit will make people get out and appreciate their neighbourhood.”
He also hopes people will get out and talk to their neighbours and learn about the history of the neighbourhood in which they live.
Simpson said the exhibit also will be displayed later at Sam’s Percolator coffee shop on Thames Street in Chatham and discussions will take place about it being displayed by the Chatham-Kent Public Library.
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