Actor Kurt Russell Takes Part in Arlington 250 Celebration with Visit to Home of Ancestor Killed by British Troops on First Day of Revolutionary War

Actor Kurt Russell and his son Boston Russell visited the Jason Russell House and Museum on Friday, July 4. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

ARLINGTON — As the nation celebrates 249 years of independence today, Arlington commemorated its role in the birth of America by hosting iconic movie actor Kurt Russell for a visit at the historic home of his ancestor, Jason Russell, the Revolutionary War figure who was killed at the house 250 years ago during the Battle of Menotomy.

The Town of Arlington, the nonprofit Arlington Historical Society, the Arlington 250 Committee and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce are pleased to share that Kurt Russell, the actor best known from movies like “Miracle,” “Tombstone,” and “Escape from New York,” toured the Jason Russell House and Museum on Friday, July 4.

Kurt Russell is eight generations removed from his Revolutionary War ancestor, Jason Russell, who built the house in Arlington, which was the site of the bloodiest battle of the first day of America’s war for independence on April 19, 1775. Jason Russell, at least 11 fellow colonials and two enemy soldiers were killed there during Battle of Lexington, Concord and Menotomy as fighting intensified in Menotomy (present-day Arlington) as the British Regulars made their retreat back to Boston. According to legend, the actor’s forefather shot down and bayoneted on his own doorstep.

Joined by his son, Boston, Kurt Russell was given a guided tour of Jason Russell’s house in the former village of Menotomy, now Arlington, where the British Regulars followed orders to clear every dwelling to eliminate snipers, ransacking, plundering, and setting homes ablaze. Kurt Russell was provided an in-depth look at the museum’s historical collection, documenting how the battle played out between British troops and local minutemen, with at least 13 surviving scars to the property from the battle.

Kurt Russell and Boston Russell then took a walk along with a tour guide to the Old Burying Ground, where they saw the gravesite of Jason Russell and his compatriots. The inscription on the patriot’s headstone states: “Jason Russell was barbarously murdered in his own house by Gage’s bloody troops on the 19th of April 1775. Age 59. His body is quietly resting in this grave with eleven of our friends who in like manner with many others were cruelly slain on that fateful day. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”

“This has been an incredibly eye-opening experience to walk in the footsteps of my ancestor, Jason Russell, and to stand here at the site where he took such a brave stand for freedom,” said Kurt Russell, after touring the museum and the gravesite. “It was haunting to see the bullet holes that remain in the wall from that fateful battle, but it was also inspiring. On July 4, of all days, it was amazing to learn in such great detail how a relative of mine and his compatriots sacrificed their lives for the cause of liberty during the outset of the Revolutionary War. To see the grave of Jason Russell was something I won’t ever forget. That’s a humbling reminder of how grateful we should be for the freedom that our forefathers fought for and won for us.”

“This has been an awesome trip. I can’t help but feel proud of my family history and the role that our ancestor, Jason Russell, played in the American Revolutionary War,” said Boston Russell. “To be able to walk around the house where he lived, to witness the site where he lost his life in the Battle of Menotomy and to see his grave first-hand was pretty unreal. We’re very grateful for being able to make the visit on Independence Day and to learn about all that happened here.”  

The July 4 visit by Kurt and Boston Russell to the Jason Russell House and Museum, located at 7 Jason St., is part of Arlington 250, a multi-year commemoration, recognition, and celebration of the town’s historic role in the American Revolution. The actor’s visit comes on the heels of several other Arlington 250 events held this year, including a major reenactment of the Battle of Menotomy held on April 20, a reenactment of the ride of Paul Revere on April 21, and Arlington Restaurant Week held from April 12 through April 21.

“We’d like to thank Kurt Russell and Boston Russell for being our guests and stepping back into history with us as we celebrate the birth of America, remembering the sacrifice of people like Jason Russell in the fight for our nation’s independence,” said Matt Beres, executive director of the Arlington Historical Society. “This was an incredible opportunity to highlight Arlington’s role in the foundation of our country. We would like to invite everyone to visit the Jason Russell House and Museum and see for yourself where United States history was made.”

“This has been an extra special July 4 thanks to our special guests, Kurt Russell and Boston Russell. I’d like to thank them for visiting Arlington and sharing in our nation’s history together,” said Arlington Town Manager Jim Feeney. “Our town prides itself in its role in the story of our country’s foundation. We’d like to encourage others to come to our community as well, to visit the Jason Russell House and Museum and enjoy your time exploring American history in Arlington.”

The Jason Russell House and Museum is open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays, with the last guided tour of the day starting at 3:30 p.m. Admission to the exhibit hall is free for all visitors, while tickets for guided tours are $8 for adults, $4 for students ages 6 through 17, and free for children 5 and under. For more information on the Jason Russell House and Museum, and to support the nonprofit that operates it, the Arlington Historical Society, go online to www.arlingtonhistorical.org.

The Town of Arlington presented Kurt Russell and Boston Russell with a gift bag, courtesy of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, including Arlington 250 commemorative items and gifts from Arlington businesses such as Helena’s clothing store and Sports Etc.

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Matt Beres, executive director of the Arlington Historical Society, provided a tour of the Jason Russell House and Museum to actor Kurt Russell and his son Boston Russell. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell shared a laugh with Matt Beres, executive director of the Arlington Historical Society, during his visit to the Jason Russell House and Museum. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Kurt Russell and his son Boston Russell took a tour of the Jason Russell House and Museum led by Matt Beres, executive director of the Arlington Historical Society. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell touched the walls where bullet holes remain the Arlington home of his ancestor, Jason Russell, who died during a battle on the first day of the Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Boston Russell and Kurt Russell examined the walls where bullet holes remain the Arlington home of their ancestor, Jason Russell, who died during a battle on the first day of the Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell and his son Boston Russell explored the Arlington home of their ancestor, Jason Russell, who died during a battle on the first day of the Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell explored the Arlington home of his ancestor, Jason Russell, who died during a battle on the first day of the Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Tour guide Elaine Ropi led actor Kurt Russell and his son Boston Russell around the Jason Russell House and Museum, showing him an exhibit about the Battle of Menotomy, which took place in 1775. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell listened on as tour guide Elaine Ropi told him and his son, Boston Russell, about the key figures from the Battle of Menotomy. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell explored the home of his ancestor, Jason Russell, including the bedroom of the historic property. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell took a picture of a painting that depicts the death of his ancestor, Jason Russell, as he was stabbed with a bayonet by a British regular on the doorstep of his home in Menotomy, now known as Arlington, on April 19, 1775. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Boston Russell and Kurt Russell took a guided tour of the Jason Russell House and Museum. It was their first visit to the property, the home of their ancestor who died during the first day of battle in the Revolutionary War. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Kurt Russell, left, joined by his son Boston Russell, took a photograph of the obelisk at Old Burying Ground, the cemetery where his ancestor Jason Russell was buried following his death on the first day of the Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Kurt Russell visited the grave site of his ancestor Jason Russell, who died on the doorstep of his home in Arlington during the first day of the Revolutionary War. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell and his son Boston Russell looked closely at the headstone of their ancestor Jason Russell in the Old Burying Grounds in Arlington (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell walked around the Old Burying Ground, visiting the grave site of his ancestor, Jason Russell. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

The headstone of Jason Russell is located in the Old Burying Ground in Arlington near the Jason Russell House and Museum. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell’s trip to Arlington on Friday, July 4, 2025, marked the first time that he visited the Jason Russell House and Museum, the site where his ancestor died in the first day of fighting in the Revolutionary War. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Boston Russell, left, and his father, actor Kurt Russell, sat down for an interview with NBC-10 Boston reporter Brianna Borghi after touring the Arlington home of his ancestor, Jason Russell, who died during the first day of fighting during the Revolutionary War. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell and his son Boston Russell took a photograph together with members of the Arlington Police Department following during his visit to the Jason Russell House and Museum on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo Courtesy Arlington Police Department)

Actor Kurt Russell explored the home of his ancestor, Jason Russell, receiving a guided tour of the property, now known as the Jason Russell House and Museum. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)

Actor Kurt Russell said he was fascinated to learn about his family history and the death of his ancestor Jason Russell in Arlington during the first day of battle during the Revolutionary War. (Photo Courtesy Town of Arlington)