About the Archives

Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum Archives maintains a growing collection that serves as a useful resource for researchers and the general public.

The Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

Archives include:

  • 17,000+ digitized images in the museum database;
  • Key publications, including the The Navy List, and the first Crowsnest and Crow’s Nest magazines;
  • the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service wartime newsletter The Tiddley Times;
  • Files on Canadian Naval Vessels;
  • News cuttings and official Ship Histories;
  • Biographies of leading figures in the Canadian Navy;
  • Information about the history and development of what is now Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt;
  • Maps & Charts;
  • Ship Plans;
  • Plans for Historic Buildings at Work Point and CFB Esquimalt;
  • Official Seamanship & Naval Trades Training Manuals;
  • Historical documents;
  • Diaries and personal journals.

Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum Archives maintains a growing collection that serves as a useful resource for researchers and the general public.

Archives

Testimonials

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

Interested in seeing the history of the Canadian navy our son belongs to.

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

Very interesting, I learned a lot about our Armed Forces.

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

Really loved the pets display, kids exhibit great way to keep them engaged.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

Victoria’s best kept secret, loved the new submarine display!

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

Thanks, the displays were wonderful. We learned a lot. Loved the animal mascot stories too.

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

I love bringing my young daughter here. I’ve always loved this place.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

Well done. The museum is the public face of the Canadian Navy & Military.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

I am a naval fan from China and think this museum is very good.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

Very good, more people should see it and know about it.

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

I have gained useful information about Canadian history. This visit will be one of my best memories.

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

Very interesting, worth the cab ride from Victoria city centre.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

Lived here a long time, finally discovered it – great!

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

Outstanding, great to see such worthy pride in the navy.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

Found my father-in-law’s signature on the HMCS UGANDA life preserver!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

Lots of good, detailed history – makes it ‘alive’.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

An outstanding facility and an outstanding tour from Mr. Baker.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

Fascinating, especially the King George V video and the fallout shelter display.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

First class museum. Professionally done and some heart-warming memories!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

Interesting, informative, and hopefully our schools will see this.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

Learned 18 different specific items of history that I had no idea about – great Canadiana, thank you!

Denis E.

Victoria, BC

I had no idea such a wealth of historic naval archives were available until I had the pleasure of discovering your museum. I can’t wait to bring my dad on my next visit.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

I’ll be back for a full day. This place is big

B.R.

Colwood, BC

Lots of progress since i visited two years ago, BZ!!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

Came with my 92-year old dad, so he could show us where he signed up.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

Beautiful place, thank you for the warm welcome and tour!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

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