The Esquimalt Archives acts as a safe permanent home for family papers, business and club records, and municipal records of historical and legal value.
Materials may not be removed from the archives; however:
- space is available for on-site research
- copy prints, slides, and photocopies of unrestricted material may be ordered through the archives at a reasonable cost
Hours
Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Please phone ahead to request to have research materials made available for you. Tel: 250-412-8540.
Mandate
The Esquimalt Municipal Archives:
- Collects, preserves, and makes available to the public, archival material pertaining to Esquimalt from the earliest times to the present and within the current and historical boundaries of Esquimalt.
- Promotes public awareness and understanding of Esquimalt’s rich heritage
- Records current events and acquires present day information.
Holdings
The Archives’ permanent collection includes:
- Local government records (i.e. inactive and historically valuable records of the Corporation of the Township of Esquimalt)
- Graphic records (e.g. photographs, slides, drawings, prints, maps, and plans)
- Manuscripts (e.g. letters, diaries, oral histories, business records, and family papers)
- Library Collection, including books and journals on topics of local historical interest
- Vertical Files (i.e. newspaper clippings, notes, and biographical files)
Donations
The Archives will accept most donations of historical or present day materials that fit into the categories listed above. There is no charge for copies of original photographs, which can be made for the Archives.
Affiliations
The Esquimalt Municipal Archives has membership in the following historical/archival organizations: