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  • Historical documents;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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

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.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

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.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

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.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

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.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

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