By Canadian Press

Civil rights trailblazer Viola Desmond’s childhood home in Halifax conditionally sold

Jul 12, 2024 | 4:09 PM

HALIFAX — A historical piece of real estate in Halifax that is listed as the childhood home of Viola Desmond has been conditionally sold.

The listing says the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home on Maynard Street is “the childhood home of trailblazer, female entrepreneur and civil rights activist Viola Desmond” and sits across from the former residence of boxer Delmore (Buddy) Daye.

Desmond was a successful Nova Scotia businesswoman who refused to leave a whites-only area of a movie theatre in 1946 and her court case was an inspiration for racial equality across Canada.

In 2018, the Bank of Canada issued a $10 note commemorating the social justice icon and featuring the North End of Halifax, where Desmond lived and worked.

The listing for the conditionally sold home, with an asking price of $350,000, says Desmond’s old residence is in need of restoration, including structural repairs and cosmetic upgrade.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

5m ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

The 1,552-square-foot home comes with antique, non-functional fireplaces in the living room and primary bedroom, and a walk-in closet.

The listing says the buyer and seller have reached an agreement on the property sale but certain conditions must be met for the deal to be binding.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press