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  • Historical documents;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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

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.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

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.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

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.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

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