Permanent

Exhibits & Displays

Through our permanent and temporary displays, the CFB Esquimalt & Naval and Military Museum seeks to increase understanding and awareness of the contribution made by the Navy and Army on the West Coast of Canada, to our community, and to the wider world.

Recent

Exhibits & Displays

In 2025 we added a permanent display honouring the late Commander (Ret’d) Peter Godwin Chance. This display features his medals, uniform, and personal belongings, celebrating a career that spanned from the – Battle of the Atlantic to the Korean War.

In 2025 the museum expanded its Ship Bells display. Traditionally made of brass or bronze, bells have been used for safety, to tell time, and for important naval ceremonies. Today, ship bells continue to be an important part of naval practice that captures the heart of every ship.

Exhibit & Display

Testimonials

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

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.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

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.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

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.

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

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!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

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!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.