Firm handshake and look him in the eye. Talk for a bit before you ask. If he's old ask him how long he's lived in the area, if he answers a long time, you say "Wow I bet you have seen a lot of change" If he's new to the area you ask what brought him here. People buy stuff from people they like and you have about a minute to get him to like you. If you can do that you won't have any trouble getting permissions or selling magazines. Play up the interest in history.