Permanent

Exhibits & Displays

Through our permanent and temporary displays, the CFB Esquimalt & Naval and Military Museum seeks to increase understanding and awareness of the contribution made by the Navy and Army on the West Coast of Canada, to our community, and to the wider world.

Recent

Exhibits & Displays

In 2025 we added a permanent display honouring the late Commander (Ret’d) Peter Godwin Chance. This display features his medals, uniform, and personal belongings, celebrating a career that spanned from the – Battle of the Atlantic to the Korean War.

In 2025 the museum expanded its Ship Bells display. Traditionally made of brass or bronze, bells have been used for safety, to tell time, and for important naval ceremonies. Today, ship bells continue to be an important part of naval practice that captures the heart of every ship.

Exhibit & Display

Testimonials

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

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.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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