Putting Pen to Paper: The Story of an Inkwell
While this may make the inkwell seem like an ordinary object, when put in historical and cultural context through written records, this inkwell as part of a larger story. This inkwell was a tool for Chinese Canadians to maintain communication with their homelands, retain cultural connection and defend their rights as members of Canadian society.

Smoke-Break With a Sailor
This audio-guide is based on the true life-story of David Michael Corry Connor – voiced by Samuel DeCosse – who was born in Liverpool in 1927 and served in the British Navy during World War Two. The creator, Devon Bidal, used a material culture approach to build the story around a lighter found at the Esquimalt Harbour site. 

The Historic Songhees Village Site
The Songhees village site was occupied between 1844 and 1911. In accordance with B.C. law, artifacts are only protected if they date pre-1846. An archaeological assessment of the site was prompted when a single artifact older than 1846 was uncovered. This site is unique because most of its contents date post-1846!

Esquimalt Harbour Soundscape
The Esquimalt Harbour Soundscape takes you on a trip through time. Climb aboard the canoe and listen to the sounds of fishing as the ravens call from the trees. Then follow with us through the ages as canoes are replaced by tall-ships and tall-ships replaced by steam and then diesel.

Songhees Village Soundscape
The Songhees Village Soundscape takes you through the grass to a carving tent. There you can hear the carvers working and children playing in the distance. From the carving tent follow us out to the beach, listen to the seagulls and eagles as you walk along the smooth stones down to the water's edge. 

Chinatown Soundscape
1In 1 playlists
The Chinatown Soundscape takes you through the day of someone living in Victoria's Chinatown (Canada's Oldest) at the turn of the 20th century. Come along and have some tea, follow us down the stairs out onto the wooden walkways, and enjoy the sounds of people visiting and children playing as you wander down the street. 

What’s Happening in the Harbour?
Beginning in 2016, the Department of National Defence initiated a plan to remove 150 years of contaminated sediment on the ocean floor of the Esquimalt harbor. This ongoing dredging project has unveiled hundreds of artifacts, including 19th and early 20th-century naval paraphernalia, amazingly preserved indigenous fishing gear, basketry, and more.