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  • Historical documents;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

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

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.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

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.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

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.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

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.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

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.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Archive Donations

Contact Form