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  • Historical documents;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

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

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.

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

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.

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

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.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

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!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

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.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

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