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  • Historical documents;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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

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.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

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.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

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