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  • Historical documents;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

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

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.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

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.

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

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.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

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.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

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.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

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!

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

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