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

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

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!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

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.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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