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  • Historical documents;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

Tim A. (retired Lieutenant-Cdr)

Ottawa, ON

Very well presented! BZ!

Randy and Carole W.

Barrie, ON

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

Derek and Sharon M.

ex HMCS NEW GLASGOW

Wonderful memories, so glad we came here!

The D. family

Saskatoon, SK

The best museum in BC, awesome, great guide.

Wendy M.

Kamloops, BC

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

Sheryl & Ken F.

Surrey, BC

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

Kareem and Cosette N.

Victoria, BC

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

David C.

Victoria, BC

Lots of memories. Well kept. Thank you!

Rich G.

Saanichton, BC

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

Arnold M.

Victoria, BC

Always enjoy coming here.

Rene G. and Micheline B.

Magog, QC

Merveilleux!

-Harold G.

Victoria, BC

Came to see where I joined up in 1940.

Valerie Z. C.

Esquimalt BC

First time here, not the last!

Michael and Samantha H.

Victoria, BC

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

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!

Linda and John F.

Edmonton, AB

Impressive!

Margaret T.

Victoria, BC

Fascinating!

Mackenzie L.

Victoria, BC

Best field trip ever!

J. and A. L.

Edmonton, AB

Beautiful artifacts and well-preserved and presented.

Melissa, Niko and Isabella B.

Chilliwack, BC

My son loved it!

Connie & Alan B.

Cobourg, ON

Interesting displays, well done.

Hans and Christiana

Zena, Germany

Magnificent!

Karl H.

Lakefield, ON

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

B.R.

Colwood, BC

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

Jane W.

Thunder Bay, ON

Very interesting place, great history.

Sandy and Nancy G.

Seguin, WA

Ex navy stationed in Halifax. Great Exhibit.

Ron S.

Bodwell High School, North Vancouver, BC

Excellent connection to the BC curriculum. Bravo!

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.

Cristina and Graham

Wetaskiwin, AB

Wonderful and informative stories, thank you for your service.

Jen, Cam and Zach

Calgary, AB

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

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!

Lee M.

Boswell BC

Impressive and educational!

Brian and Betty Ann J.

Dartmouth, NS

Thank you so much, great, staff were wonderful.

Vince P.

Colwood, BC

Wonderful museum, thank you.

Valerie A. and Don T.

Victoria, BC

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

Norman K. (RCN 1959-1988)

Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for having this available, so informative.

David and Jan C.

Bathhurst, New South Wales, Australia

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

Margaret G.

Edmonton, AB

Fabulous!

Birgitta B.

Nelson, BC

Loved the pets and the WWII display.

The I. family

Duncan, BC

Researching my stepfather’s WW2 service in the RCN.

Lew B.

Port Alberni, BC

We LOVE this museum!

Linda B.

Victoria, BC

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

Stephen L.

Victoria, BC

“Top Class”, as always.

David R.

North Vancouver BC

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

Leah K.

Nanaimo, BC

Really unique. Mannequins very cool.

Thor M.

Victoria, BC

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

Gary L.

Victoria, BC

Thanks for keeping the memories alive and vibrant!

Elizabeth W.

Victoria, BC

Excellent display of military history.

Paula and Craig C.

Rocklin, California, USA

Fabulous, great museum, everyone very helpful and friendly.

John and Susan G.

Richmond, CA USA

Coming here was our #1 priority! Thank you!

Bernard & Quintin T.

Singapore

Great museum – My 9 year old is fascinated!

Grant S.

Esquimalt, BC

First time; will return.

SLt C. and Mari M.

ancouver, BC

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

James B.

Ottawa, ON

Very informative and emotional.

Robert and Shirley M.

Charlottetown, PEI

Beautiful Base, fantastic history!

Jan G.

Gibbons, AB

What a great museum, enjoyed every bit of it!

Ethan X.

Saanich, BC

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

Alia, Jason and Dexter V.

Calgary, AB

Excellent kids area!

Heather and Graham S.

Yorkshire, England

Very interesting, loved it!

J.F.M.

Victoria, BC

Very nice collection, amazing models and displays.

Richard L.

Penticton, BC

Great history lesson!

The P. Family

Oak Bay, BC

Congrats on the expansion.

Tom M.

Campbell River BC

Excellent museum and professional displays.

Katharine T.

Brooklyn, NY

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

Anne M.

Brentwood Bay, BC

A wonderful display – well worth a visit.

Doreen F.

Victoria, BC

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

Diane S.

Carrying Place, ON

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

Cindy and Ian R.

Calgary, AB

Always a great opportunity to learn something.

Allison and kids

Sidney, BC

Such a nice surprise!

David and Nancy C.

Severn, MD, USA

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

Eric E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Absolutely beautifully done, congratulations.

Tom and Vikki B.

Esquimalt, BC

First time for Vikki. Awesome!

Greg M.

Surrey, BC

Very well done, luv the history.

Len V.

Calgary, AB

Thank you for preserving our proud military history.

Ron B.

New Westminster, BC

Brought back lots of wonderful memories.

Scott M. and Sherry S.

London, ON

My second visit in 7 years, good museum.

Maria M.

St.-Imier, Switzerland

Merci beaucoup, j’ai bien aimé.

Baldeep S.

View Royal BC

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

Janet C.

Duncan, BC

Everything looks fabulous – congrats!

Gillian B.

Victoria, BC

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

Dari and Ken K.

Victoria, BC

I should have visited the museum years ago.

Kevin and Hope W.

Edmonton, AB

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

Ronald H.

Melville, SK

Great museum, worth coming back to.

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