The article analyzes the manuscripts of the Russian architect and restorer Nikolai Andreevich Artleben (1827-1882), preserved in the collection of manuscripts of the Russian National Library in Saint Petersburg. These materials are of particular interest for the reconstruction of the scientific biography of N. A. Artleben, and for characterization of the main trends in the history of national restoration and historical and architectural science of the last third of the 19th century. The main aspects of the research are Artleben's critical assessment of E. Viollet-Le-Duc's «Russian Art» book and Artleben's experience of developing one of the first reviews of the history of Russian architecture.