Mary,
Have you had a chance to search the message archives here. There was a 
discussion of the collection of oral histories last spring. Enter oral 
history in the search box to bring up those messages.
Also, check the "Ancestry.com" site >go to Learning Center >type in 
oral history - to bring up a multitude of references regarding 
collecting oral histories. There is more to read than you probably have 
time for, but maybe they will provide some additional ideas. Maybe 
those that you interview can tell you about what the community was like 
years ago.
Good luck on your trip.

Natalie Coleman in VA