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  • Historical documents;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

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

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!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

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.

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

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.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

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.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

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!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

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