The Yelvington-Lee House is home to the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce. It is available to rent for meetings and social occasions. Our conference rooms are equipped with technology to make your presentations effortless. This space has been used by companies for staff planning days, team retreats, and regional meetings.
Our space has also been used for bridal and baby showers, book signings, and retirement parties. For information about house rentals please call 919-934-9166. Make sure you ask about our member discounts.
The building has a unique history in Johnston County. Built by W.G. Yelvington on land purchased from Wright Blow, it was originally located at 128 S. Second Street in Smithfield. The house was built sometime after 1880.
The rambling house has a multitude of cross gables and pedimented gable ends. It has some of the most unique interior detailing of any house in Smithfield, including handsome Eastlake style spool filigree screens in the foyer and richly decorated Colonial Revival mantels. The porch was enlarged and the house expanded in 1915.
In 1988 the board of directors of the Smithfield Selma Area Chamber of Commerce received a donation of land from the John D. Fleming Family to build a new office for the Chamber. At the same time Johnston County purchased the Yelvington-Lee House with the intent to demolish the building and build a parking lot for the County Court House.
Chamber leadership negotiated a $1 purchase price of the building and moved the building from S. Second Street to its current location. The move of the home took much planning and effort. Videos of the move can be viewed here. The Chamber raised funds to renovate the building into office space. The renovation of the home received recognition from the Governor’s Business Council on Arts and Humanities.
The Yelvington Lee House is in a historic covenant with the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina, Inc. All repairs and improvements to the building are done to preserve the integrity of the design and construction of its original construction.
