WETHERSFIELD, Conn. -- An assembly was held Thursday at Silas Deane Middle School to lay out the contents of a time capsule that will give students a sense of what the world was like 50 years ago.

The capsule was made of a milk can in concrete with a plastic liner to keep the contents safe, school administrators said. The contents, they said, were snapshots from the time, including copies of the Hartford Courant and Hartford Times, a Wethersfield telephone book and town map, and a student handbook with guidance on how to comport oneself.

“Very strict set of rules for work habits for Wethersfield High School in 1958, and we're going to read those to the students,” said Principal Jim Collin. “Very good advice for students today. On the other hand, students were allowed to smoke cigarettes in 1958.”

A 1958 Chevrolet panel truck -- highly customized -- was parked outside of the school. A brand-new Chevy in '58 would cost you at least $2,000, and gas would have cost roughly 30 cents per gallon.

Residents were also invited to take a look at the items in the time capsule. Some said they found familiar names and faces.

One couple said they remember signing a proclamation and watching their three children, all students at the time, sign as well.

“It was wonderful to find the names,” said Meg Barsto, of Wethersfield. “I don't even remember writing them, but they are there.”

Other jewels of information were contained in the time capsule as well. For instance, Sweet and Low was introduced in 1958, as were Cocoa Puffs and Green Giant canned beans. Also in 1958, the first Pizza Hut opened in Kansas City, according to information in the time capsule.

The unveiling also included the singing of songs from the time period and the reading of a mayor’s speech from 1958.

Plans were also made to put another capsule in the ground to be opened in 2058.

The contents of the capsule will be used by students to study history.