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  • Historical documents;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

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

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.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

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.

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

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.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

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