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  • Historical documents;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

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

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.

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

-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!

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

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.

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

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 B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

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