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  • Historical documents;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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

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.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

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!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

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