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  • Historical documents;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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

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.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Archive Donations

Contact Form