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  • Historical documents;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

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

A. L. and C. L.

Richmond, BC

Really well kept and presented. Thank you so much!

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Dale and Elizabeth S.

Calgary, AB

A step back in history. Excellent.

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

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.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Colleen and Wayne B.

Whitby, ON

Wonderful help from volunteers and archivists, thanks so much!

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

Sean, Seamus and Heather E.

Hong Kong, China

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

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

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