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  • Historical documents;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

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

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.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

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!

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

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.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

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

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

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