Actor Kurt Russell Comes Face to Face with His Revolutionary Ancestors in Arlington
Through JGPR’s strategic event planning and logistical support services, combined with our extensive media relations expertise and targeted communications approach, JGPR facilitated a tightly-run, well-organized event to share the personal experience that actor Kurt Russell had in Arlington learning about the role that his ancestor, Jason Russell, played there in the Revolutionary War.
SECTOR
Municipal
CLIENT
Town of Arlington Arlington Historical Society Arlington 250
GOAL
To generate interest in Arlington as a destination to explore the community’s rich history in connection to the American Revolution, as the site of the Battle of Menotomy and the Jason Russell House & Museum, using a visit by iconic movie actor Kurt Russell on July 4th to draw numerous TV channels, newspapers and social media influencers to cover his personal experience learning about his ancestor’s involvement in the war for national independence.
Background
Through JGPR’s strategic event planning and logistical support services, combined with our extensive media relations expertise and targeted communications approach, JGPR facilitated a tightly-run, well-organized event to share the personal experience that actor Kurt Russell had in Arlington learning about the role that his ancestor, Jason Russell, played there in the Revolutionary War.
After direct outreach to Russell’s agent by JGPR, Kurt and his son Boston Russell visited the Jason Russell House & Museum in Arlington, the site of the bloodiest battle of the first day of America’s war for independence on April 19, 1775. Jason Russell, Kurt Russell’s sixth great-grandfather, was killed by the British Regulars during the Battle of Menotomy on front steps of his own home. This remarkably well-preserved property, with bullet holes still visible in the walls of the building, now serves as a museum operated by the nonprofit Arlington Historical Society.
The renowned Hollywood actor was fascinated by his family’s personal connection to the site and all the museum exhibits that document his ancestor’s life there, having not known about his family ties to the American Revolution until very recently. Kurt Russell shared his reactions and thoughts about all of this, speaking extensively with the media about what he learned during his trip to historic Arlington.
Concept
JGPR developed a media strategy meant to maximize the reach of news reports and social media about Kurt Russell’s visit to the Jason Russell House & Museum, while securing the site from the general public and keeping the event private until after the actor left the property. JGPR made sure the event was orderly and tightly organized, and the company provided a positive, comfortable experience for Kurt Russell and his son Boston Russell. This allowed both of them to share intriguing personal insights into their first-hand encounter with the historic Arlington landmark and their family’s connection to it, describing what they learned about the property and speaking about their ancestor who lived and died there as an American patriot.
Event Components
Partnering with a group of expert tour guides and the executive director of the Arlington Historical Society to provide extensive background information and interesting details about the Jason Russell House & Museum to actor Kurt Russell and the media outlets covering his visit to the site.
Leveraging existing media contacts and relationships to maximize media exposure for the event, gaining favorable placements throughout the July 4th holiday weekend.
Maintaining confidentiality among media outlets covering the event in-person, in order to avoid disruption from unwanted visitors and excess on-the-ground reporters, providing a comfortable atmosphere for Kurt Russell and his son Boston Russell.
Coordinating security with the Arlington Police Department to maintain order throughout the visit by actor Kurt Russell, keeping the property off-limits to the general public and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
Providing walk-through tours of the Jason Russell House & Museum with Kurt Russell to three groupings of credentialed media outlets, allowing the actor to share personal insights into what he learned at the historic Arlington landmark, while also accommodating questions from reporters along the way.
Scheduling sit-down interviews with Kurt Russell and Boston area TV news stations to talk about his experience at the Arlington property and his reflections on his family’s connections to the historic site.
Impact
JGPR reached a global audience with 38 media credentials issued to TV, magazine, newspaper, radio and online reporters and social media and YouTube influencers to cover the event in-person on July 4, 2025, with hundreds more news publications and channels receiving information afterwards to report on the event remotely. This targeted approach generated hundreds of impactful media placements in the Boston region and throughout the U.S. The story led regional news broadcasts and it was splashed across the front page of the Boston Herald newspaper the following morning (see below for more details).
On July 4, JGPR staff also produced its own in-house news coverage, providing dozens of photos, social media reels and a detailed recap of the event for media outlets unable to attend, offering a wealth of information and comments from Kurt Russell, Boston Russell, Arlington Town Manager Jim Feeney and Arlington Historical Society Executive Director Matthew Beres. This direct content production paid dividends. The Boston Globe could not attend in person, but the largest newspaper in New England still ran the story and issued an email news alert blast, with photos provided by JGPR.
What the Client Says
Arlington Historical Society Executive Director Matt Beres:
“As we navigate through the 250th anniversary year of the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Hollywood actor Kurt Russell and his son, Boston Russell, to the Arlington Historical Society at the Jason Russell House & Museum as they reconnected with their family heritage. With John’s help, we generated more engagement about the Battle of Menotomy, in a single day than ever before in our 128 years of operations.
“This single event has helped the AHS carry out its mission by sharing Arlington’s rich history and bringing its significance to an international audience. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to the Museum, sharing the stories from that day, and honoring the lives that were lost.
“John and his team went above and beyond to help us promote our museum. He is not only incredibly effective but also a true pleasure to work with.”