Former home of Delmore ‘Buddy’ Daye could become Halifax heritage property

The former home of Delmore “Buddy” Daye – a famed African Nova Scotian boxer, activist and sergeant-at-arms – could become a heritage property in Halifax.

The Halifax Heritage Advisory Committee will review two properties – 2319 Maynard St. and 2315 Maynard St. – at their regular meeting on Wednesday. If they approve the heritage requests for the sites, they will send it to regional council for consideration.

According to documents submitted to the committee, Daye, who was born in New Glasgow, owned and lived at the 2319 Maynard St. property. He owned the 2315 Maynard St. spot from 1975 to 1979, but never lived in it.

Daye and his wife bought the 2319 Maynard St. spot in 1963 and lived there for 40 years. The property remains with the Daye family, according to the committee documents.

Daye transferred ownership of the 2315 Maynard St. property to his daughter in 1979.

The documents note both buildings were constructed in 1888 in the “Halifax box style,” which includes a square plan, an asymmetrical elevated entrance and a flat or nearly flat roof.

The documents also note Daye is a “historical figure of national significance,” which in turn could impact the historical importance of the two properties.

Daye, who joined the merchant navy at age 14, transitioned to a boxing career in 1953. He became the junior lightweight champion of Canada in 1964 and retired two years later with a record of 76-6-1, including 71 knockouts.

According to the committee documents, Daye advocated for changes to make boxing safer for athletes as a member of the Halifax Athletic Commission and the Canadian Boxing Federation.

“During his boxing career, Daye and other Black boxers were barred from training in boxing rings in Halifax and Daye was subject to racial verbal abuse during his career,” the documents read. “He went on to document and raise awareness about racism in Halifax and Nova Scotia.”

In 1990, Daye became the first Black sergeant-at-arms for the Nova Scotia Legislature. Buddy Daye Street in the north end of Halifax was named after him in 2006.

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