This image shows the Rutherford family at their property near Bacchus Marsh. The bearded man to the right of the picture is probably Thomas Rutherford. The other people in the picture are probably members of his family. The Rutherford property was a dairy farm and was at one stage described as a 'model farm' by the Bacchus Marsh Express newspaper. It was located near the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse heading towards Rowsley. It was also described as being near the Rowsley Station which was a small railway station a few kilometres south-west of Bacchus Marsh. The Rowsley Station existed from 1889 until replaced by a railway siding in 1959. The Melbourne photographers Stevenson & McNicoll visited the Bacchus Marsh district in 1883. They took photographs of many local families and individuals in front of their houses or businesses. More than 50 of these images were preserved by the Hawkins family of Bacchus Marsh and passed to a granddaughter of that family Mrs Beryl Jeremeas who donated those images to the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society in 1973. Stevenson & McNicoll are known to have taken numerous studio portrait photographs of Bacchus Marsh people. This was probably the larger part of their work. However very few of these images have been acquired by local historical societies. A black and white photographic copy of sepia coloured Carte de Visite photograph on cardboard. The photo is of a family group standing and sitting in front of a substantial brick farmhouse. A plainer dwelling stands at the back of the farm house and is probably the day-to-day utility house. The group consists of a well-dressed gentleman, probably Mr Thomas Rutherford, two women and three children, a baby, a young girl and an older boy holding a saddled pony. The family's dog is included in the photo. On the front: Stevenson and McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St, Melbourne. Copies can be obtained at any time. On the Back: Logo of the rising sun with the words LIGHT & TRUTH on a banner. Copies of this portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to Stevenson & McNicoll Late Benson & Stevenson, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, stevenson and mcnicoll photographers, rutherford family bacchus marsh district