Jason Russell House

Imagine sitting in your kitchen, late on the afternoon of April 19, 1776, waiting for the retreat of 1,100 British troops, walking back along Concord Road (now Massachusetts Ave), to pass by your house. Then you realize—outriders protecting the wounded column will be passing on both sides of your house.

That’s exactly what happened at the sparse, four room Jason Russell House. An hour or so later, there were eleven bodies laid out on the floor of this colonial kitchen.

The city of Arlington found the budget for the forensic scientists to come through (with many generously donated services) some time I believe just pre-Covid, so now when you visit you get the tour of the musket ball holes that riddle the building’s wooden paneling—and admire the trajectories that the scientists mapped out. British bullets came in through every window, including the one in the attic.

In the little museum grafted on to the back (circa 1923) collected artifacts of the day include items dropped by the British on their retreat—souvenirs of the day turned in to the city collection over the next two centuries.

It’s an amazing, mind-opening, slice of American history.

(and I appreciated the “porthole” detailing they added to the carpet put in to protect the bullet-riddled risers of the steps)

Lovely visit with a great docent on a summer Saturday afternoon, Menotomy Park (excellent for walking) just up the street, delicious Butternut Bakery just across the way, and a friendly beer garden with music as part of an imaginative collaborative program, summer 2024.