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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

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.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

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.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

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.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

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.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.