POTSDAM — One needn't dig deep to get a glimpse of Potsdam's past. At doorsteps and storefronts, it's there to be seen — in signature red sandstone, no less.

"People spend so much time looking at historic buildings in Potsdam, sometimes they don't even recognize them," said Frederick J. Hanss, village planning and development director.

Julian W. Adams, community liaison coordinator for the state Historic Preservation Office, wants to help preserve that history. He will speak to residents about protecting historic buildings at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Potsdam Public Museum, Park Street.

"In the days of chain stores, we are losing a lot of the special individual character communities have very rapidly," he said. "It's about recognizing that Potsdam has something nobody else has, and guarding that very carefully."

One option Mr. Adams will discuss at the brainstorming session is the Certified Local Government program, which would create standards and incentives for the village's historic homes to be kept that way.

The program was established under the National Historic Preservation Act to provide participating communities with special grants; professional, legal and technical training, and membership in the national historic preservation network.

There are 60 certified local governments across the state, with 15 more on the way, Mr. Adams said. The village of Sackets Harbor is the nearest participating community.

"There are a lot of naysayers who say they don't want rules and regulations, but it's not about that. It's about trying to get people to have a dialogue about saving these wonderful things," said Mimi Van Deusen, village historian and Potsdam Public Museum director, who invited Mr. Adams. "Just about every house in Potsdam has some pretty cool history if you dig."

If village officials eventually voted to make the municipality a certified local government, a preservation commission would be created to designate historic buildings and create guidelines for their maintenance in planning and zoning codes. Owners of those properties would be required to obtain a notice of appropriateness for major renovations.

In return, residents whose buildings are designated historic would be eligible to have their property assessments frozen at pre-rehabilitation rates for five years, which would then increase by 20 percent annually to the new assessment over another five years.

"It prevents that sticker shock," Mr. Adams said. "It's not about making a museum. It's about living and using buildings while maintaining them from a design standpoint to keep their character intact."

Mr. Adams will tour Potsdam with Ms. Van Deusen before he speaks Wednesday, and also will meet with Clarkson University President Anthony G. Collins to discuss the college's historic buildings. SUNY Potsdam officials also plan to attend the community brainstorming session.

"It's about getting the conversation started," Mr. Hanss said. "It's premature to say where it will lead, but a lot of people are very concerned about preservation of local landmarks. Certainly they'd like to see the village take initiative to protect our architectural heritage."

The museum will open at 6:30 p.m. for the event and will offer coffee and refreshments. For more information, call Ms. Van Deusen at 265-6910.