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  • Historical documents;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

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

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!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

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.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

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.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

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.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

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