Born at the Margaret Hague

Though the maternity hospital no longer exists, its legacy continues through Jersey City Medical Center. The official opening was on October 12, 1931. Mrs.

This page, run by the JCMC Foundation, was created to unite the community of “Margaret Hague babies” to honor the history and memory of the Hague! The Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital is one of the most revered landmarks in Jersey City, having more that 350,000 babies of record born there from 1931 to 1979. Two claims for the "first" baby born at the hospital appear in the press. One for Carmen J

. Rullo of Bayonne on October 9, 1931, and the other for Hugh James Nevin of Jersey City, born on October 15, 1931. Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital staff mmbers in front of the building
Courtesy, Jersey City Free Public Library
Designed by architect Christian H. Ziegler, the ten-story Art Deco building was the first new building of the Medical Center Complex and had been proposed by Mayor Frank Hague in 1921. He recruited the assistance of the members of the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, especially Mary T. Norton, later a US Congresswoman from Jersey City, for his project. With Hague's support, Norton successfully lobbied the freeholders for the funding for a maternity hospital. Norton's own goal was to address the high infant mortality in Hudson County that peaked in 1923 at 212 per 1,000 births (Vernon 71). Hague then set out to establish the best maternity hospital of its time and to have it named for his mother who died in 1921. Built between 1928 and 1931, it took a $1,600,000 bond issue to fund the construction. The hospital later included an Eleanor Roosevelt Nursery. Roosevelt visited the nursery and was greeted by New Jersey Governor A. Harry Moore from Jersey City, Mayor Hague, and Congresswoman Norton. The Maternity Hospital had accommodations for four hundred mothers and babies; it offered extended visiting hours for working fathers and day care for children of mothers in the hospital. The building featured a stainless steel chandelier in the delivery room, brass handles, and terrazzo floor. The public rooms on the first floor were done in aluminum and bronze. The interior furnishings were from a local furniture store, Gray's of 173 Newark Avenue. The building also had several penthouses and a movie theater on the top floor. For a number of years, the hospital was noted for its low maternal death rate. Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital
Photo: P. Shalhoub, 2001
The Maternity Hospital closed in 1979, and the City of Jersey City leased it for office space until 1995. A maternity facility at the Jersey City Medical Center Margaret Hague Pavilion was temporarily opened in 1981. A stained glass window of the Madonna and Child, once in the lobby of the Maternity Hospital, was placed in the Pavilion. As part of the Jersey City Medical Center Complex at Montgomery and Baldwin Avenues, the Maternity Hospital will undergo renovation. Rather than demolishing these locally significant and historic structures, the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency named Metrovest Equities of Manhattan to rehabilitate the buildings. The complex will be called The Beacon and redesigned for rental and condominium apartments as well as commercial space and cultural venues. The renovation project is to be completed by 2010 for a projected cost of $350 million. References:

Martin, Antoinette. "A New Lease on Life for Jersey City Complex." New York Times 27 February 2005. Vernon, Leonard F. Jersey City Medical Center. Portsmouth, NH: Arcadia Publishing, 2004. By: Carmela Karnoutsos
Project Administrator: Patrick Shalhoub

08/28/2026

Early detection starts with access. Join Jersey City Medical Center and NJCEED for breast cancer screenings on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center.

Free mammograms are available to those who are uninsured. Take an important step for your health and register today at 201-716-5873.

08/25/2026

From Administrative Fellow to Practice Manager, Mojisola Adesanya is continuing her journey at Jersey City Medical Center.

During the 2025-2026 Administrative Fellowship, Mojisola worked directly with hospital leaders on projects that strengthened operations, supported the patient experience and reached families throughout Hudson County. Her work included expanding the Comfort Kit initiative from 50 to 550 kits and helping organize the Annual Baby Fair, which engaged more than 200 families.

Mojisola now brings that experience to the Vascular Center as Practice Manager. Please join us in congratulating her on this next chapter at the medical center.

Learn more about Jersey City Medical Center by visiting: rwjbh.org/jerseycity

Photos from Born at the Margaret Hague's post

08/24/2026

Jersey City Medical Center recently completed its Magnet® site visit, an important step toward a fifth consecutive designation. Earning this recognition would place the medical center among only 2 percent of hospitals nationwide to reach this milestone.

The visit highlighted the expertise, compassion and commitment our nurses bring to every patient and family—strengthening the high-quality care Hudson County can count on every day.

08/19/2026

Tonight, Hudson County will be watching as Bayonne Little League takes the field under the lights at Lamade Stadium for its first Little League World Series appearance in program history.

Reaching Williamsport is a proud moment for the team and the entire Bayonne community. Jersey City Medical Center joins its neighbors across Hudson County in congratulating the players, coaches and families who made this historic run possible. Good luck tonight as you show the world what “Bayonne vs. Everybody” is all about.

08/05/2026

As families prepare for a new school year, Jersey City Medical Center is once again helping local students start the year ready.

Join us for our annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway on Wednesday, August 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at JCMC-Greenville.

Families can receive a free backpack with school supplies while supplies last. Both a parent and child must be present to receive a backpack.

The event will also include an informational fair where families can learn more about programs and services available through JCMC-Greenville.

1825 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
Rain date: Thursday, August 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

08/04/2026

Analise Doney, MD, has been named Jersey City Medical Center’s Physician of the Month for helping patients feel heard and comfortable through her kindness, attentiveness and support. Her recognition highlights the physicians advancing women’s health care across Hudson County.

07/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming Maria, Jersey City Medical Center’s new Administrative Fellow.

Maria earned a master’s degree in public health with a focus on health systems and policy from Rutgers School of Public Health. She brings experience in pharmacy administration and previously worked within RWJBarnabas Health at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital.

In her new role, Maria looks forward to learning alongside Jersey City Medical Center’s senior leadership team while supporting efforts to improve health equity, operational efficiency and the patient experience. We are excited to welcome her back to RWJBarnabas Health and to the Jersey City Medical Center community.

07/07/2026

Jersey City Medical Center is applying for ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® redesignation. Patients, family members, staff and other interested parties are invited to share written feedback by August 7, 2026.

View the public notice for details and learn more about Magnet Recognition: https://www.rwjbh.org/blog/2026/june/public-notice-ancc-magnet-recognition-program-si/

06/30/2026

Jersey City Medical Center was proud to join the Philippine American Friendship Community, Inc. (PAFCOM) Parade & Festival at Lincoln Park for a celebration of Filipino culture, heritage and community in Jersey City.

Our team connected with attendees through free health screenings, information about hospital services and participation in the parade, helping bring care, education and support closer to the communities we serve.

Thank you to PAFCOM for hosting a meaningful celebration that brought families, neighbors and community partners together across Hudson County.

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Born at the Margaret Hague

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