Leigh Jameson: A Road Scholar Group Leader's Passion for History

Road Scholar

9/23/2025

At a Glance:

Road Scholar Group Leader Leigh Jameson passionately combines education & travel, enriching participants and fostering empathy.
Leigh's U.S. history programs in D.C. & Williamsburg delve into surprising contexts, revealing untold stories beyond common knowledge.
She highlights the profound significance of 1619 in Virginia's Historic Triangle, including the first enslaved people and legislative body.
Leigh stresses that history belongs to everyone, weaving in stories of African American descendants and Indigenous figures like Matoaka.

Road Scholar learning adventures are brought to life by extraordinary individuals — our Group Leaders. They’re the heart of our mission, embodying the spirit of lifelong learning and discovery, like Leigh Jameson, a Group Leader whose profound passion for American history and dedication to experiential learning truly sets her apart.

Leigh's connection to Road Scholar runs deep — she was a participant before she became a Group Leader, experiencing firsthand the transformative power of these programs. This personal understanding fuels her commitment to our mission. As Leigh puts it, “I’m a Road Scholar person. I really value the mission — not only the organizational values of kindness and curiosity, but also the idea of continuing education combined with travel. I believe that the point of visiting somewhere else is to really learn about it, because it makes us richer when we come back home and more empathetic when we're out in the world.”

Leigh’s expertise shines in her U.S. history programs, spanning the vibrant streets of Washington, D.C. and the historic landscapes of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Her approach goes beyond traditional narratives, inviting participants to peel back layers, challenge preconceived notions and connect with the profound human stories that shaped our past.

For Leigh, history isn't just about dates and famous figures — it's about the vibrant, complex mosaic of human experience. She delights in revealing the unexpected, even in familiar places. In Washington, D.C., for instance, participants often arrive expecting only monuments and museums. Leigh, however, unveils the city as a living, breathing entity, a place where people have resided since 1790, long before its iconic landmarks took the spotlight.

“When we see regular people in the creation of our history, then we have a deeper connection to it — and an obligation to it as well.”

Likewise, her Williamsburg programs are particularly rich with revelations. Beyond the familiar colonial reenactments, Leigh delves into the deeper context of Virginia's Historic Triangle, a place she, as a native Virginian, knows intimately. She illuminates the often-overlooked narratives, from the presence of Indigenous nations to the profound significance of 1619 — the year the first enslaved people were brought to Virginia and the first elected legislative body in British North America convened in Williamsburg, predating even the Mayflower's landing.

Leigh passionately argues that history belongs to everyone. She ensures her learning adventures highlight the ongoing endurance of African American descendants and sheds light on figures like Matoaka, better known as Pocahontas, who died as Rebecca — a detail that often sparks profound realization among participants. Her ultimate goal is to foster a deeper connection to our shared past.

“I am passionate about it because the stories are about us as regular people. They’re not all about the Georges and the Thomases of the world. And when we see regular people in the creation of our history, then we have a deeper connection to it and an obligation to it as well. Everyone has an opportunity to see themselves woven into the narrative.”

Leigh Jameson is a testament to the extraordinary caliber of Road Scholar Group Leaders. Her dedication to unearthing the full, rich story of America ensures that every participant leaves not just with new knowledge, but with a deeper understanding of themselves, the nation they came from, the world around them and where they fit into its ongoing story.

Pictured:
Intergen program at the Oval Office.

Want to meet Leigh in person? Join her on one of her programs:

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