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  • Historical documents;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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

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.

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

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!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

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.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

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!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

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