Chef Richard Hoschar, who is better known as Chef Hosch, and his wife Ann Hoschar currently own the building that serves as an event space, where the two serve up gourmet food on-site and off-site.

Built around 1870, the 6,200-square-foot carriage house was erected to serve the Smith Ullman house, also built circa 1870. That Victorian manse still stands today at 634 W. Fourth St. on Millionaire’s Row.

According to a Sun-Gazette article in 1975, “In November of 1923, a group of women representing the five most prominent clubs of that day – Clio, college, civic, garden and business and professional women met at the home of C. E. Sprout.”

The women’s organizations decided they needed a place for each group to meet. Together they purchased the Walnut Street carriage house.

“Remodeling of the old stable began under the skilled architectural guidance of Carl V. Welker.” said the article.

The hayloft was transformed into a large meeting room with a fireplace and villa style wrought iron balconies were added. In addition, a second fireplace was added to the first floor.

On September 2, 1925, the club officially opened.

“The club provided an attractive setting for weddings, receptions, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas feasts, bridge luncheons and teas,” according to the article.

At one point, a 1918 Steinway piano, once owned by the Stroehmann family, was donated to the woman’s club. When the Woman’s club moved their meeting space to the Williamsport Country Club, they left the piano behind.

Fast forward almost a century later, where the piano was included with the purchase of the property by the Hoschars in 2017. It was that very piano that attracted Grammy Award winner George Winston to spend his final days in Williamsport.

Winston was best known as a solo pianist producing new age music. His work brought him international recognition and a Grammy Award for best new age album in 1994 for his album “Forest.”

Williamsport resident Dave Whitnack worked with Winston on and off for 30 years. He started as Winston’s touring stage manager and eventually worked his way up to Artist Manager and Senior Vice-President of Touring & Production.

“It was the middle of COVID and all of our touring plans were on hold. George decided to stay in the northeast, here in Williamsport, to wait things out, instead of making the trip back home to CA in the middle of the pandemic. We needed to find a private place for him to rehearse during the downtime. Chef and I met when I was the Technical Director at the CAC. I knew he had the Carriage House venue and that it was shuttered due to the pandemic and I knew there was a piano in-house,” recalled Whitnack.

Winston and the old Steinway became daily companions. In addition to practicing, Winston also held virtual concerts, while the world was on lockdown.

“It was an old piano which George said had a lot of history and character. He also loved the hospitality and relaxed atmosphere provided by Chef and Ann,”

Winston enjoyed playing late into the night. During his breaks, Richard recounted how Winston would open the exit door next to the piano to feed stray cats.

“He loved cats,” said Richard.

What was supposed to be only a three month stay in Williamsport turned into almost three years.

‘What he really liked was how everyone in Williamsport respected his privacy and how low key and quiet it was. So, it was an easy decision to hold over in Williamsport during the pandemic. It was familiar and both my wife and I were managing him at the time, so it was also convenient,” said Whitnack.

On June 4, 2023, Winston sadly died from cancer, during his Williamsport residency. His passing was marked with articles in the “New York Times” and “Rolling Stone” and a tribute at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

“George and I were like brothers…. His unexpected departure hit me and my family very hard. We think about him all the time and are grateful for the musical gifts he left the world and for the priceless and precious time we got to spend with him over all those years,” said Whitnack.

One of the gifts left behind at the carriage house is Winston’s piano, which now bears still sits in Winston’s autograph and the date August 7, 2020. It is just one more piece of history the carriage house offers up for future generations to embrace.

And as for the carriage house’s future, that is unclear, since it is now up for sale. Listed at $485,000, the sale is being shepherded by real estate agent John Brindger with RE/MAX Commercial in Williamsport.

Brindger said of the carriage house’s listing, “Own the carriage house and make your mark on the history of Williamsport.”