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  • Historical documents;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

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

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.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

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.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

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!

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

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!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

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.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

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