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  • Historical documents;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

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

-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.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

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.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

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