Crime and Punishment: a history of Bendigo's law and order features a collection of pieces from local lenders and state institutions and is open from now until November 30. 

City history and collections curator Simone Bloomfield said the Gold Rush in the 1850s brought about an influx of people, which lead to a rise in crime. 

She said one of the stories told in the exhibition was that of Charles Hall, who was hanged in Bendigo Gaol in the 1900s after he was convicted of the murder of his wife Minnie. 

"The story goes he was having an affair with the local barmaid and was caught out," she said.  

"During a fight with Minnie he killed her and made it look like she had drowned in the bath.

"A part of the exhibition, I was able to borrow the prisoner records book from Public Records Office Victoria and a clemency letter, which his father wrote to authorities pleading with them to reduce his sentence to life imprisonment."

Ms Bloomfield said the exhibition also touched upon Chinese culture and customs in Bendigo during the 1900s.  

"One of the (Chinese) customs was opium smoking," she said. 

"We have a full collection of opium tools and a smoking jacket on display."

Ms Bloomfield said crime and punishment in Bendigo had changed dramatically over the years. 

"Things have definitely changed since those early days, especially for the police," she said. 

"They were treated very badly back then and they had it really tough."

The gallery is open daily from 9am to 5pm.