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  • Historical documents;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

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

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.

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

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.

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

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