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  • Historical documents;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

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

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.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

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.

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

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.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

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