After Kurt Russell discovered he was related to a Revolutionary War hero, the veteran actor decided to spend Independence Day at his ancestor’s historic home in Arlington. Russell, who was born in Springfield, paid a visit to the Jason Russell House & Museum on Friday alongside his son, Boston Russell. Russell’s visit was part of the Arlington250 initiative, a multi-year celebration of some of the town’s key role in the Revolutionary War. The actor, known for roles in movies such as “Tombstone,” “The Thing,” and “The Hateful Eight,” toured the museum and historic home, with town historians sharing information about Jason Russell’s role in the Battle of Menotomy. Although the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 tend to be better remembered in history books, the battle later that day in the village of Menotony (in present-day Arlington) is generally considered by historians to be the bloodiest battle of the first day of the Revolutionary War. One of the 11 known colonial casualties from the battle was Jason Russell, Kurt’s forefather from eight generations ago. According to legend, Jason Russell was shot and bayoneted on his doorstep, defending his home after fighting between colonists and Redcoats spilled onto his property. View this post on Instagram Russell said that he “can’t wait” to come back with more members of his family so they can learn what he learned during his Fourth of July visit. “I’m already hearing things that remind me of my father, my grandfather, my great-grandfather,” Russell said during his visit to the museum. “DNA is a funny thing. That’s what I’m being struck by, is how connected — it’s not that long ago. It’s only seven men ago, before me. My great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather was so instrumental in changing the world.” After visiting the Jason Russell House, Kurt and Boston Russell visited Jason Russell’s gravestone in Arlington. “It was haunting to see the bullet holes that remain in the wall from that fateful battle, but it was also inspiring,” Russell said. “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.”