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  • Historical documents;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

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

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.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

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!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

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.

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

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