I did research on stock trading around the time of the American Revolution while I was in law school in the early 1980s.
The staff was very helpful, and it was thrilling to be able to turn the pages of the original newspapers (since they were printed on ragstock rather than wood-pulp stock paper, which became the standard for newsprint around the time of the Civil War, they didn't disintegrate or turn yellow) and watch the stories unfold. Once I read the obituary of an individual who had been high profile in New York (a Mr. Duer), and I felt a momentary pang ("I didn't even know he was sick!") before laughing to myself about the absurdity of the situation.
She sounds like a good choice and I wish her well.
Research can really be a lot of fun!