BYOB means something very different at the Fort Langley National Historic Site.

The acronym in this case stands for Bring Your Own Bonnet and is the to do list for anyone planning to attend the Mother's Day Tea this Sunday.

Haven't had time to do up this year's spring bonnet? That's okay. The national historic site will have supplies on-hand for attendees.

Once suitably attired, those attending will enjoy the Mother's Day Tea. People can book for seatings at either 1 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.

The elegant afternoon tea, including cranberry scones, cucumber-and-salmon sandwiches, crème puffs, and chocolate-dipped strawberries, will be served al fresco on china settings. It's on the lawns, but there are contingency plans in case of rain.

Emmaline Newton, the wife of the Hudson Bay Company's chief clerk in Lanlgey Billy Newton, will play hostess, and will regale people with tales of the fort, its social customs and the fashions of the day. Plus she will choose the winning bonnet.

"Mrs. Newton would have cherished the opportunity to host an elegant tea, but she never had the chance. Hers was a lonely life, as there were no women of her culture and education living nearby," said Teresa Conkin, the fort's marketing manager. "Occasionally she would entertain officers visiting the fort on business, which she would do in the gentleman's hall of the Big House."

Newton is portrayed by actress Nette Plante, who is well-versed in the site's history.

Fort Langley was established in 1827 as part of the Hudson's Bay Company's network of trading posts. During the Fraser River Gold Rush, the post provisioned thousands of miners headed to the goldfields. In response to the many Americans flooding into region, the British government established the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858.

Born in Canada but sent to England with her mother, Emmaline Jane Tod was raised by grandparents after her mother was institutionalized. At 20, she returned to Canada to find her father but it was not a happy time. He and his new family on Vancouver Island found no room for her.

Billy Newton and Emmaline Jane Tod were married in 1859 on Vancouver Island and came to the fort shortly after, when he was transferred. Her life was not an easy one.

"Emmaline Newton craved company with whom she could discuss fashion, politics, art or literature," Conkin said.

This is the second year for the Mother's Day Tea.

"Everyone last year had such a great time that we decided to do it again," Conkin said. "We would like to make it an annual Mother's Day tradition"

Tickets are $20 for the public and $15 for those with passes. Call 604-513-4777 or email fort.langley@pc.gc.ca.