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  • Historical documents;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

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

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.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

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 C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

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!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

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!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

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