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  • Historical documents;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

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.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

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!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

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.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

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