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  • Historical documents;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

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

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.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

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

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!

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

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.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

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