Put away the iPod, turn off the television, leave the Wii behind and join Sarah Catherine for tea outdoors in a Bermuda garden — that is the invitation being extended to young ladies six to 12 years of age.

Sarah Catherine is a little girl residing in the Town of St. George in the fledgling colony of Bermuda in 1650.

She is one of the youngest members of a family of free blacks who arrived as indentured servants. In many ways she is not so different from little girls living on the Island today.

She has cousins in far-away places, like Jamestown, Virginia, plays with dolls, helps with the chores and likes making new friends.

She will be a special guest at an afternoon tea party in St. George's to celebrate Bermuda's 400th anniversary on May 3 at 3 pm.

Weather permitting, tea will be taken in the gardens of the St. George's Historical Society Museum on Featherbed Alley.

Young ladies are invited to join Sarah Catherine and may bring a favourite doll with them if they wish.

Sarah Catherine will give our modern young ladies an idea of what life was like in the 17th century, and share some of the games she plays.

There will be opportunities to slow down and enjoy the gentle art of conversation and develop the imagination.

While the tea itself is some time away, in the meantime young ladies are invited to write a letter to Sarah Catherine saying why they would like to attend her tea.

In the letter they can tell her what they know of old time Bermuda, and ask her questions about her life in 1650.

Letters received before April 18 by post or e-mail will be placed in a basket.

Sarah Catherine will choose one letter from the basket, and the letter's lucky author will receive two tickets for the tea.

Letters can be sent to Sarah Catherine care of the Executive School of Protocol, P.O. Box MA 40, Somerset, MA BX or tsnaith@ibl.bm.

Please remember to include a return address or telephone number.

Tickets may also be purchased for the tea for the price of $15. For further information, contact Mrs. Snaith at tsnaith@ibl.bm or 505-8358.