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  • Historical documents;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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

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.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

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!

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.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

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!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

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.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

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