Goodwin used his contacts in New York and Philadelphia to revitalize the town as well as college. In particular, he convinced John D. Rockefeller Jr. (the wealthy son of the founder of Standard Oil) and his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, to help restore in the historic town, and stimulated their generosity which financed its restoration and reuse as a living history museum. Working with a small group of confidantes, Goodwin acted as Rockefeller's straw buyer and acquired dozens of properties located in and near in what would become the restored area. Williamsburg attorney Vernon M. Geddy, Sr., did much of the title research and legal work and later drafted the Virginia corporate papers for the project and filed them with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Mr. Geddy served briefly as the first President of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.